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Welsh government launches new scheme to help local wildlife
This new initiative aims to "create, restore and enhance hundreds of habitats across the country."

Encourages local communities to create spaces for nature

The Welsh government has launched a major new scheme in partnership with the Keep Wales Tidy charity, which aims to tackle the decline in nature within the country.

The ‘Local Places for Nature’ scheme will provide more than 800 pre-paid ‘Starter packages’ to communities and organisations across Wales. These packages include resources to aid in the creation of areas which support local wildlife, including items such as:

  • native and nectar-rich plants and seeds
  • bug and bee hotels
  • peat-free compost
  • fruit trees
  • gardening tools.

The scheme also has 66 ‘Development packages’ available to help ambitious community based organisations develop larger-scale projects such as a sustainable urban drainage scheme, a community food garden or a wildlife garden.

According to the Keep Wales Tidy website, one in six species are currently under threat of extinction in Wales. This new initiative aims to “create, restore and enhance hundreds of habitats across the country” and forms part of a wider £5m government fund committed to restoring nature in local communities.

Groups of all sorts are encouraged to apply to receive a pack, whether a community council, volunteer group, a place of worship or a resident’s association – though permission from the landowner is required.

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs said: “The latest evidence shows biodiversity in Wales is declining. Since 1970 there is less wildlife and in fewer places. If we are going to tackle the nature crisis we need our ecosystems to be as resilient as possible.  We all need to act and we need to act now.

“I know the enthusiasm exists right across Wales to help nature’s recovery. There is so much great work already going on but people often tell me they don’t know where to start or where to get advice and support.

“I’m delighted, therefore, to launch ‘Local Places for Nature’, part of our wider commitment to making it easy for everyone to protect, restore and enhance the wildlife on our doorsteps and all around us.”

Applications close on Friday 6 March at noon. For further information please visit the Keep Wales Tidy website.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.