There are numerous organisations concerned with British natural history and the countryside in general. The following list highlights those relevant to Gower. Information on other organisations mentioned in the text can easily be found on the Internet. All details were correct at the time of publication, but it should be noted that small voluntary groups may change their contact address more frequently than some of the larger bodies and they may not be able to respond to enquiries as quickly.
Butterfly Conservation
10 Calvert Terrace, Swansea, SA1 5AR. Tel: 0870 7706153.
www.butterfly-conservation.org
The organisation’s purpose is to secure a lasting future for all native butterflies, moths and their habitats within the UK. The ultimate goal is to help restore a balanced countryside with butterflies and other wildlife restored to the profusion that they, and we, once enjoyed.
City and County of Swansea
Environment and Conservation Section, Planning Services,
Environment Department, Guildhall, Swansea, SA1 4PH. Tel: 01792 635094.
The Environment and Conservation Section plays a key role, both in its own right and in the work it carries out with partner organisations, in managing both the natural and built environment of the area. In partnership with many local groups and national agencies it is preparing a Biodiversity Action Plan for Swansea. It also manages the Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre. Formerly an old coach house, this is now run as an interpretive centre with displays and information about the nearby Local Nature Reserve.
Countryside Council for Wales
Llys Tawe, Kings Road, Swansea, SA1 8PG. Tel: 01792 763500.
The Countryside Council for Wales is the Government’s statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters. Among other duties it manages the three National Nature Reserves in the peninsula, monitors the Sites of Special Scientific Interest and until recently ran the Tir Gofal agri-environment scheme.
Coed Cymru
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Neath, SA11 3QZ.
Coed Cymru is an all-Wales initiative to promote the management of broadleaf woodlands and the use of locally grown hardwood timber in Wales. The local officer advises on woodland management in both the Neath and Swansea areas.
Forestry Commission Wales
Coed y Cymoedd Forest District, Resolven, Neath, SA11 4DR. Tel: 01639 710221.
The Forestry Commission looks after the woodlands and forests belonging to the National Assembly for Wales. It has teams of staff dedicated to specific areas to bring woodlands and communities closer together, and manages the woods in the Parkmill area.
Glamorgan Badger Group
Swansea Area, 37 Priors Way, Dunvant, Swansea, SA2 7OH. Tel: 01792 206686.
All badger groups are members of the National Federation of Badger Groups. Their aim is to enhance the welfare and conservation of badgers. This includes undertaking sett watches and protecting them against persecution.
32 Primrose Rd, Neath, SA11 2AP. Tel: 01639 638658.
There is a UK-wide network of over 90 local bat groups. Like the others the Glamorgan group organises meetings, surveys and training activities and supports the care, protection, study and conservation of bats. Members also lead guided walks, give talks and organise other activities to promote bat conservation.
Glamorgan Moth Recording Group
87 Coed Glas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5EL. Tel: 02920 762182.
The group was formed in 1995, in response to the growing number of naturalists interested in recording moths in South Wales. It runs a series of field meetings during the summer and is working towards a comprehensive publication on Lepidoptera in Glamorgan.
Gower Bird Hospital
Valetta, Sandy Lane, Pennard, Swansea, SA3 2EW. Tel: 01792 371630.
The hospital is a charitable organisation that rehabilitates wild birds and small mammals before releasing them back into the wild.
Gower Commoners Association
91 Heathfield, Swansea. Tel: 01792 652007.
The association exists to protect the rights and interests of all the commoners in Gower and acts a voice for the individual commons management associations. Its primary objective is to ensure that the commons are effectively managed.
Gower Ornithological Society
24 Hazel Road, Uplands, Swansea, SA2 0LX. Tel: 01792 298859.
The society produces an annual bird report Gower Birds, together with a regular newsletter, and holds monthly indoor and occasional field meetings. It has contributed to all the recent bird surveys organised by national organisations.
Swansea Museum, Victoria Road, Swansea, SA1 1SN.
www.gowersociety.welshnet.co.uk
The Gower Society is a group of over 1,500 people who consider that the Lordship of Gower, and especially the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a very special place. The society lobbies local and national organisations in its efforts to protect the area. It arranges a programme of more than a hundred events a year and publishes an annual journal, which includes articles on all aspects of the peninsula, past and present.
Irish Sea Leatherback Project
School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Tel: 01792 205678. www.swan.ac.uk/bs/turtle
The project is a joint initiative between the University of Wales Swansea and University College Cork. Its aim is to understand the populations, origins and behaviour of leatherback turtles in the Irish Sea.
National Trust
Little Reynoldston Farm, Reynoldston, Swansea, SA3 1AQ. Tel: 01792 390636.
The National Trust cares for over 248,000 hectares of countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. It has a visitor centre and shop in the old coastguard cottages at Rhossili.
National Wetlands Centre Wales
Penclacwydd, Llwynhendy, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA14 9SH. Tel: 01554 741087.
Located on the north side of the Burry Inlet and owned by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the centre is a focus for wetland conservation in Wales. Its newest feature is the Millennium Wetland complex.
Endsleigh, Blue Anchor Hill, Pen-clawdd, Gower, SA4 3LZ. Tel: 01792 850578.
The group produce a newsletter, Cobwebs, which includes additions to the Glamorgan checklist of spiders, harvestmen and pseudoscorpions and a key to the webs of British spiders.
South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre
13 St Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB. Tel: 02920 641110.
The Records Centre provides a mechanism for collating, sharing and utilising the wealth of biological data and knowledge that exists in Glamorgan and Gwent.
West Glamorgan RSPB Members Group
RSPB Wales, Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff,CF11 9AB. Tel: 02920 353000. www.rspb.org.uk
The aim of the group is to publicise the RSPB’s conservation work in the West Glamorgan area, to hold educational events, to raise funds for the Society’s conservation work, and to provide a programme of activities for local members
Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
Fountain Road, Tondu, Bridgend, CF32 0EH. Tel: 01656 724100.
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/wtsww
The Trust promotes the enjoyment and protection of wildlife throughout south and west Wales. An important part of this work involves setting aside wild places to establish as nature reserves, where the conservation of wild plants and animals is a priority.
Woodland Trust Wales (Coed Cadw)
Yr Hen Orsaf, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EB. Tel: 01686 412508.
The Woodland Trust is dedicated to the protection of our native woodland heritage. It manages Common Wood near Llanrhidian.