Curriculum Cymreig--Environment/Sustainable development--Organisations supporting the environment

There are many organisations throughout the country that support the environment and promote sustainable development in Wales.

The Environment Agency is the governmental body responsible for the environment in Wales. Its fun and games section includes educational material on climate change, energy, wildlife, resources and waste, land, people and lifestyles, and water.

Countryside Council for Wales is the governmental body that protects the countryside in Wales. Its website also has a section for children; while the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales is an organisation that protects the landscape and environment of Rural Wales.

The Forestry Commission is the government body responsible for the protecting and expanding Wales' woodlands and forests. The website's Woodlands for learning section provides details of their educational programmes including Forest Schools and Forest Education Initiative.

Environment Wales provides environmental support for community and voluntary groups in Wales, and Arena Network provides environmental support for businesses in the country.

Sustainable Development and the environment are also at the heart of Wales' Local Authorities' strategies and policies. Each Welsh Local Authority's website has a section on the environment. These are all listed within the Sustainable Development page.

This is a listing of the resources within Wales on the Web that provide information and support on the environment in Wales.

• Keep Wales Tidy is a registered environmental charity working for the improvement of Wales' local environments. They aim to promote effective action within targeted groups, to secure a litter-free Wales. The website is arranged around four areas of work: litter and waste, tourism, community action and education. There are also links to the 'Eco-schools' project, Keep Wales Tidy awards for schools and the Blue Flag Campaign, as well as a website for the Keep Cardiff Tidy campaign.




• BTCV is the UK's largest practical environmental charity, helping over 130,000 volunteers every year improve their local environment. Through staff and volunteers, BTCV Cymru can provide the help, advice and practical support that individuals, groups and organisations need in order to take on environmental projects and activities, with everything from teams of volunteers to tools hire available to community groups. The website includes information about BCTV Cymru's activities, how they can help local communities and how you can get involved.




• The Black Environment Network (BEN) works to promote equality of opportunity with respect to ethnic communities in the preservation, protection and development of the environment. Their website includes information about BEN and their work, the services they offer and the various resources that are available.




• The Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth, is one of Europe's foremost eco-centres. It is an educational charity striving to achieve the best co-operation between the natural, technological and human worlds. The website posts details about the centre's news, the services that are available, their fundraising work and some general information about CAT, as well as an online tour of the 30 acre centre. Its education pages provides information on visiting the centre and has a number of online teaching resources.




• 'Gwaith Maes' is a voluntary society that supports environmental education for schools by publishing environmental material. The society was responsible for publishing the environmental education magazine 'Gwaith Maes' which was circulated throughout schools in Wales. Tables of contents of back issues of 'Gwaith Maes' (since 1989) are available through the website, and online access to 'Gwaith Maes', which is regarded as a valuable Welsh-medium resource, is now available.




• The Bridgend Environmental Educators Partnership is a partnership of school governors, teachers and other organisations in the county of Bridgend that aims to develop environmental education within the area. The site posts information on environmental education and the partners in the scheme, as well as educational resource packs on the subject, environmental case studies involving local schools, and a number of relevant links.




• The Environment Centre in Swansea is an independent charity focusing on environmental information, education and activity in south Wales. They aim to assist environmental groups in South Wales by providing information and advice on environmental and sustainable issues. The centre gives support and information to local environmental groups, and educational opportunities to schools and colleges, while also producing 'Green Light', a newsletter on environmental issues in Wales and further afield.




• Carmarthenshire Eco Schools is part of an International Eco-Schools Programme who's aim is to enhance environmental projects in schools. This website includes information about the projects that are run by the county's schools, as well as links to other related sites.




• Save our Seas is a Marine Awareness North Wales project that was established to raise people's awareness of the threats that face today's marine environment. The website provides information on porpoises, marine life in the Menai Straits and the Centre for Marine Awareness at Bangor Pier, and also has many useful links and a forum. It is an excellent educational resource, providing information about the environmental problems facing marine life in the waters of North Wales.