Plaid Cymru President, Jill Evans MEP, visited the Newport Wetlands on Friday the 16th of September, to meet with staff and volunteers at the RSPB run Environmental Education and Visitor Centre. Newport Wetlands is a haven for wildlife and supports a whole variety of species such as black tailed godwits, avocets, lapwings, redshanks and bitterns. The nature reserve itself is owned and managed by the Countryside Council for Wales.

Jill Evans was lucky enough to get a rare sighting of Britain's rarest woodpecker, the wryneck, during her visit.

Jill Evans said,

"I was totally enthused by my visit and I would encourage others to see this amazing area, just a stone's throw from Newport. It has made an invaluable contribution to protecting biodiversity in Wales and in Europe. That is why it is vital that conservation sites like this are given proper protection and support. Bird, animal and and other wildlife and marine species are in decline - some at an alarming rate. To try and halt this decline the European Union has established Natura 2000 sites and we have ninety in Wales.

"What has been achieved here in the Gwent Levels proves that dedication and effective partnership can make a real difference. The RSPB Futurescapes Project will expand this work here and in othere areas of Wales. As a newly signed up member of the organisation, I look forward to following its progress."

Diwedd/End.