On our final day for Wales Nature Week we headed over to Nant Clwyd Y Dre in Ruthin with North East Wales Bionet partnership.

With over 250 people pouring into the walled gardens between 10-3pm we were busy! Our aim was to share our river restoration work for key species, highlight their plight and show families what they can do at home to help.

Our new ‘Slow The Flow’ game allowed us to communicate how nature based solutions are helping to slow down high impact rainfall events before they reach CSO’s and release pollution and sewage into our rivers and seas. This was a hit with families.

The days winner is pictured here building nature based solutions including:- retention ponds (pots), wetland lakes (pots & sponges), tree planting (sponges) and ditch blocking (using sieves and sponges). She managed to reduce the speed of flow from 10 seconds to 2 minutes and 20 seconds! That is the highest score all weekend.

We will definitely be keeping a job role open for her in the future.

Our next interactive zone included a demonstration using various different types of tissue paper. From face wipes to ‘flushable wipes’ and your classic toilet paper. It was a battle to the end with only one winner proving they had true biodegradable status in our jar shaker test.

Our next game ‘ To flush or not to flush? That is the question!’ was a sure fire hit with all ages. With participants potting 3 poops in the toilet and answering three questions about what can go down our toilets. It was an education for all involved a game we hope will inspire more awareness when it comes to the ‘forgotten flushes’ we have come to know.

Participants potted three poo’s in our prop toilet before heading over to our wheel of fortune to answer some serious river health questions!

Over at the art station we had the fish painting booth. Everyone learnt about the plight of the Torgoch, Salmon & Sewin before designing their very own iconic fish for our fish wall hanging.

The reason events such as Wales Conservation Week are so important is because numerous species are critically endangered. Not only is it important to restore rivers back to good health but to also highlight the issues species are facing. We must all work together to help protect these iconic species.

Take a look below at some of the species that we are focused on protecting over the next few years:-