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The Big Dee Day – The Invasion 2

Published: 19/06/2014

Preparations are now gathering pace for Big Dee Day – the Invasion – which will be officially launched on Friday 27 June at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham. The event is appealing to volunteers and organisations to help remove invasive non-native plants and animals, such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Chinese mitten crab that have colonised the banks of the River Dee. The public will then be invited to an information and demonstration day to take place on Saturday 28 June at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham from 12.30pm. There will be displays in the visitors centre and a North Wales Wildlife Trust trailer near the riverbank along with demonstrations showing people the different ways to control invasive non-native species. The information day will kick-start a series of events that will carry on across the region throughout July. Events are open to everyone across the area to help tackle alien invaders right across the Dee catchment, from the river’s source in Snowdonia National Park right through Cheshire to its estuary in Liverpool Bay. These alien species are brought to the UK either accidentally or intentionally and can cause big problems for native wildlife, as well as having other effects such as making river banks more prone to erosion, which can lead to flooding. Councillor Bernie Attridge, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment said: “These events encourage people to help make a real impact and a difference to the countryside around the River Dee. If anyone is interested contact the Council and find out how to get involved.” Five local authority Countryside Services, Snowdonia National Park Authority, the DINNS Project, Keep Wales Tidy, the Welsh Dee Trust, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Chester Zoo, Record, Cofnod and Natural Resources Wales are involved in organising the event. Other events in Flintshire during July include: Friday 28 June and Saturday 26 July - Balsam Pull and Litter Pick - Swinchiard Brook, Flint. Please contact Judith Wright from Keep Wales Tidy on 07717495188 for more information. Saturday 19 July - Beat the Balsam - Caergwrle from 3pm to 5pm. Meet Caergwrle Car Park, High Street. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, wellies and gloves, refreshments will be available. The event is free but booking is essential - contact Sarah Slater on 01352 703263 or email sarah.slater@flintshire.gov.uk Notes to editors You are invited to send a reporter and photographer to Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham for the official launch of Big Dee Day – the Invasion at 1:30pm on Friday 27 June with staff, dignitaries and volunteers. The public launch and demonstrations day will take place on Saturday 28 June from 12:30pm. For more information on the project contact Meryl Norris, DINNS project officer at North Wales Wildlife Trust on 01352 755472 or email merylnorris@wildlifetrustswales.org For more information about events happening in Flintshire contact Sarah Slater on 01352 703263 or email sarah.slater@flintshire.gov.uk