If you go down to a Wildlife Trust (Swansea or Gower) reserve this autumn you might be in for a big surprise

School children from the rural wards of Swansea are being given a chance to explore and discover some of our very special and beautiful Wildlife Trust reserves right on their doorstep. The City and County of Swansea’s Countryside Connections Project through the John Muir Award, enables children not only to discover and explore but also to help conserve and share their experience of a “special wild place” – in many cases Wildlife Trust Reserves.

Entrance to Berry Wood by J Mullett

Countryside Connections is a wider project connecting all residents of the rural wards of Swansea with their local countryside through education, events, volunteering and funding opportunities.

Funding for this project runs from March 2011 until December 2013 and is part-funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 from money from the Welsh Government and the European Union.

There are also volunteer opportunities for residents of rural wards of Swansea (Gower, Mawr, Pennard, Pontarddulais, Fairwood, Llangyfelach, Bishopston and Penclawdd) and want to make a difference to your local environment, contact the Countryside Connections Team on 01792 636893 or email helen.grey@swansea.gov.uk for more information or visit the Countryside Connections website