Volunteer wanted for Llangollen Canal wildlife

BRITISH Waterways is on the lookout for a committed individual to help keep the varied fauna and flora along the Llangollen Canal in good order.

As part of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Community Project, the post of volunteer Biodiversity Records Co-ordinator is required, who will be based at  the  Ellesmere office.

World Heritage Site

The two year project is building a comprehensive understanding of the flourishing heritage and biodiversity along the 11 miles World Heritage Site corridor between Llantysilio and Chirk Bank. It is funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Community Project Officer Piers Warburton that relates the project involves engaging with local schools, community groups and individuals along the entire corridor, explaining:

"The Llangollen Canal is home to some fantastic heritage and abundant wildlife like water voles, bats and otters. We are working to identify their locations, then protect them by improving the quality of their habitat."

Collating records

The biodiversity records co-ordinator role involves collating wildlife and species records from recent community awareness events, in addition to developing future activities.

The role also involves promoting the importance of these wildlife surveys among corridor communities; inputting and collating wildlife sighting reports from wardens; recording, monitoring and maintaining accurate species records.