I ddarllen y blog yma yng Nghymraeg cliciwch yma os gwelwch yn dda.Poetry, spoken word, beatboxing, rapping, graffiti, music and children dancing with eight-foot-high choughs – all in the name of Welsh nature. Yesterday was quite the day.
State of Nature 2016 Wales has been on tour, spreading the report’s harsh lessons ever since its first day at Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre on 15 September, before concluding on The Hayes in Cardiff yesterday. Being one of the busiest areas in Cardiff, the public launch was a hit with everyone. The public showed vast interest in the report’s findings by stopping, asking and discovering what they can do to improve nature’s fortunes within Wales.
By launching the report in such a public way, we believe it went further. The public didn’t just stop for information. They took photos of the canvases. They took video footage of the live performances and captured their thoughts about nature. They caused a flurry over social media. This report reached more people than ever.
Images: Organized Kaos & canvas by St Bernadette's Primary SchoolOur left-field launch could have turned the people of Camden Market green with envy. From live poetry by Martin Daws (Young People’s Laureate for Wales 2013-16) and Aneirin Karadog (2016 National Eisteddfod’s chaired bard), rapping and beatboxing by Mr Phormula (Ed Holden), musical harmonies by Ellie Makes Music, street art of the finest form by Milli Magic and a circus performance with a twist by Organised Kaos. We clearly showed that Wales is the home of creative talent. We had media coverage across all BBC platforms and Welsh news outlets. While ITV Wales recorded a special interview from St Bernadette’s primary school in Cardiff, who designed some unique and creative messages on our shrill carder bee canvas - and were fittingly celebrating the school’s first ever eco-week! We also need to take a look back at the coverage gained by last week’s UK report launch in Westminster. There, Sir David Attenborough and Iolo Williams spoke about the challenges that nature faces, and Plantlife’s Trevor Dines gave a passionate speech with such childhood context that it left much of the audience still awestruck on their way home. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom, appeared to accept that big changes are needed if the UK is to maintain and improve its biodiversity in the future.
Images: graffiti artist, Millimagic, rapper Mr Phormula & members of the public writing their messages for nature
Remember however, we went on this journey to improve nature’s fortunes. The report found that 1 in 14 species in Wales is extinct or heading towards extinction. For a country that is often so proud and heavily dependent on its natural environment - this simply isn’t good enough. A partnership led by 50 strong conservation bodies agreed that Wales needed to try something new to raise awareness for nature’s plight. We decided to go left-field, with the hope of engaging with as many people as possible, and the tour and launch duly delivered.
When you take all of the above into account, State of Nature Wales 2016 will hopefully have that lasting effect on nature and prove to be a historical landmark in years to come.
Images: poets Aneirin Karadog, Martin Daws & Mr Phormula