Visit the great Welsh outdoors responsibly this Easter

Visitors to North West Wales can play their part to help protect nature and 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 school break and people are being reminded to follow the Countryside Code and any site-specific guidance.

As more people have become aware of the health and well-being benefits of time spent in nature over the last few years, there has been an increase in visitors.

Unfortunately, this has led to a rise in anti-social behaviour and environmental damage such as littering, fires and fly-camping which has an impact on nature.

People are being encouraged to visit responsibly by taking litter home, not lighting fires, being a responsible dog owner, remembering sites are home to a range of wildlife and to keep to waymarked paths and tracks to give nature space and avoid disturbance.

There are a wide range of sites in the area and people are encouraged to seek out some less well-known destinations. You can find a full list on the days out section on our website.

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

“We have a mix of different recreation sites for people to relax in and enjoy all year round.

“They are also home to a range of wildlife and are biodiversity hotspots which need protecting and, by following the Countryside Code, people can visit safely.

“With a high number of visitors expected in the coming weeks there is concern about congestion and limited availability of parking as well as impacts on wildlife and communities.

“Therefore, we are encouraging people to have a back-up plan in case a destination is too busy on arrival or consider visiting one of our quieter locations – there is so much on offer across the whole region.

“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 a number of campsites in the area.

“A healthy natural environment full of wildflowers, birdlife and other nature is much more rewarding to visit. The vast majority of people visiting our places behave responsibly and we would like to thank them for doing their bit.”

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.