This year has been designated the International Year of Biodiversity. The aim of the year is to raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity. It has objectives to:

• enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it,
• engage with an increasing number of people ,
• celebrate the achievements by governments and Countdown 2010 Partners,
• report on possible failures to achieve the target to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2010,
• use momentum to trigger even more action for biodiversity
• begin to communicate the post-2010 target(s).

Within Carmarthenshire we are already making the links between biodiversity and other area such as health and the economy. Showing the importance of biodiversity to all our lives in a number of ways demonstrates again why we must take great care to conserve and enhance it and be mindful of our impacts in all actions. We are trying to promote the fact that Carmarthenshire’s biodiversity provides us with:

Thriving Economy

Carmarthenshire’s natural environment underpins the local economy, and wildlife can generate significant benefits for local economies, e.g. farming, tourism, fishing, forestry.

A Natural Health System!

Nature is good for you: walking, cycling, gardening – ‘outdoor Carmarthenshire’ is a prescription for good health and a place for activity and fun.

Healthy, Caring and Safe Communities

Green space within communities creates a ‘sense of place’, make communities more attractive, and can contribute to providing a safer living environment.

Learning and Creative Communities

Carmarthenshire’s natural environment is an ‘outdoor classroom’ providing a lifelong learning experience for all, helping create a sustainable future and artistic inspiration.

Produce and Protection

Coastal salt marshes are our natural flood defences, our reed beds and damp grasslands soak up water; hedges form natural barriers and wind breaks and bees pollinate our crops.

Where would we be without biodiversity?