Call to respect wildlife and follow Countryside Code during Easter break

Visitors to some of North West Wales’ most popular natural sites are being asked to protect and respect the environment during the Easter break.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is gearing up to welcome a high number of visitors to its woodlands and National Nature Reserves over the Bank Holiday weekend and members of the public are being reminded to follow the Countryside Code and any site-specific guidance.

This includes taking litter home to leave no trace of your visit, not lighting fires, being a responsible dog owner, remembering sites are home to a range of wildlife, to care for nature and not cause damage or disturbance.

John Taylor, Team Leader for recreation sites in North West Wales, said:

“The special places we look after are ideal destinations for people to relax and recharge their batteries. But we must maintain a balance between the wishes of individuals to enjoy the outdoors and our responsibilities to protect nature and respect local communities.

“By following the Countryside Code people can safely visit our wonderful sites in North West Wales including Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest on Anglesey, Coed y Brenin Forest Park and Gwydir Forest Park.

“We are expecting a high number of visitors during the coming weeks and this can lead to congestion and limited availability of parking.

“Therefore, we are encouraging people to make a plan B in case a destination is too busy on arrival or consider visiting one of our quieter locations.

“It is also important to take litter home, keep dogs under control to protect nesting birds and other wildlife and not to light fires, which can quickly get out of control and cause significant damage to the environment.

“We also want to remind visitors that overnight stays are not allowed on our sites and there are campsites in the area.

“The vast majority of people visiting our places behave responsibly and we would like to thank them for doing their bit. We hope that will continue as we head into Easter.”

Wardens will be patrolling NRW sites over the Bank Holiday weekend to answer any questions, provide advice and guidance and ensure visitors have the best experience.

You can view the Countryside Code at Natural Resources Wales / The Countryside Code: advice for countryside visitors.