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Have some wild time this summer!

Published: 02/06/2016

This year’s Wales Biodiversity Week runs from Saturday, 4 to Sunday, 12 June with lots of events taking place in Flintshire to celebrate it. In North East Wales, “My Wild Time” will be launched – a campaign to get people reconnecting with nature. My Wild Time is about finding your wild side by getting outside and noticing the world around us, it will run alongside our county Events programmes. It couldn’t be easier to get involved, so join the campaign #mywildtime. Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Bernie Attridge, said: “Our biodiversity team here in Flintshire is passionate about wildlife and nature and want as many people as possible to get involved. It’s unbelievable to hear that some children aged 8-12, recently surveyed by TV channel Eden, believed cows hibernate in winter, recognised a dalek but not an owl and thought grey squirrels are native to this country. We see statistics like 64% of children play outside less than once a week but there’s more evidence than ever to support the benefits of spending time in nature and unstructured wild play for children.” Flintshire County Council Biodiversity Officer, Sarah Slater, who is organising the campaign in Flintshire, said: “Our campaign is running the whole of the summer, you can upload photos of you having wild time at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NEWBioNet/ or twitter account @NEWBioNet using #mywildtime. “Upload a photo during Wales Biodiversity week 4-12 June and we’ll send you some Wales Biodiversity Week merchandise (one per person while stocks last). Just send us an email at biodiversity@flintshire.gov.uk with the link to your tweet or facebook post and include your postal address.” If you run a class or a group why not get involved and move it outside Playgroup at the park, Art in the allotment, the possibilities are endless. Get in touch, we’ll help you promote your event through our facebook page and any local contacts we have. Some of the fantastic events running through Wales Biodiversity Week in North East Wales are listed below: 3 – 6 June: Loggfest Loggerheads Country Park, nr Mold, Denbighshire Family fun festival of great music, food & drink. For more information visit loggfest.co.uk. 5 - 11 of June: Wrexham Walking Festival www.walksinwrexham.com Tuesday 7 June 11am: Flintshire Green Gym. Meet at Leadmills Rugby pitch Mold, some physical habitat management and wildflower planting, Wear appropriate clothing and wellies, tools and gloves will be provided. Thursday 9 June 10am: Pilates in the plants. Come and enjoy Pilates in the beautiful surroundings of Plas Newydd, Llangollen. All levels welcome. No equipment needed. Booking essential by Friday 3 June. This event is weather dependent. Meet at the standing stones. Thursday 9 June 2pm: Tai chi under the trees. Wepre Park Come along and try out Tai chi in the gorgeous Wepre Park Country Park, Connahs Quay, Booking essential by Friday 3rd June. This event is weather dependent, Meet at the visitor centre. Thursday 9 June 3:45-5:15pm: Afterschool Mini Adventures Loggerheads Country Park. Explore and learn about the natural world with the Warden at Loggerheads Country Park activities will include river dipping to discover the amazing wildlife living in the river, making bee homes to help these vital insects, collecting leaves and getting creative and investigating the secret world of moths! Thursday 9 June 8:30 – 10pm: Nightlife at Moel Famau Meet: Coed Moel Famau Car Park /SJ 174 613 A walk through the forest and out into the moorland at dusk -to see what animals we might find in the country park at night. We should see bats, owls and moths, and perhaps even the elusive nightjar. Please Book at 01352 810586 / 614. For further information, contact Sarah Slater on either 01352 703263 or 07968016884 or email sarah.slater@flintshire.gov.uk. Also see Flintshire Countryside Events 2016 brochure available on our website. If #mywildtime has given you taste for the outdoors then check out some more brilliant activities below: The Wildlife Trusts 30 days wild in June http://www.mywildlife.org.uk/30dayswild/ The BBCs summer of wildlife – get your pack at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11-07-13summer_of_wildlife_handbook_u pdated_version.pdf The National Trusts 50 things to do before you’re 113/4 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do