A £250k fundraising campaign is launched to fix ‘broken’ paths in Snowdonia
A quarter of a million pounds is urgently needed to repair broken paths and restore wildlife habitats in Snowdonia, the National Trust has said. The conservation charity, which looks after almost 23,500 hectares (58,000 acres) of mountain and farmland in Snowdonia, is hoping to raise the shortfall from a fundraising campaign launched this month.
According to a recent review, many of Snowdonia’s paths are suffering from large scale erosion, with urgent repairs needed along around two and a half miles-worth of footpaths.
“Thousands of people come from all around the world to enjoy Snowdonia’s rugged beauty. But Snowdonia isn’t as tough as it first appears,” said Rhys Thomas, National Trust ranger in Snowdonia. “Now, broken paths are putting Snowdonia’s nature in danger. When they break up and turn into mud it can be incredibly difficult to know where to step.”
He added: “I’ve been building and rebuilding paths in the area for eight years. It’s tiring, time-consuming work – involving tens of volunteers shifting tonnes of stone by hand, vehicle and helicopter. But it’s vital to repair paths if we’re serious about protecting creatures like the Snowdon beetle that in Britain are only found in Snowdonia.”
The National Trust says that the £250,000 appeal will enable rangers and volunteers to repair and create two and a half miles of paths in the National Park. According to the organisation, it costs £180 on average to build just one metre of footpath.
Launched 6 February, the fundraising appeal will run right through until the end of 2017.
To donate visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowdonia-appeal or call 034 800 1895.
Main image by National Trust
