Welsh Mountain Zoo champions “Conservation Christmas” - promotes eco-friendly festivities in North Wales

The Welsh Mountain Zoo has launched an exciting new community project for schools, learning groups, and local organisations across North Wales. The ‘Conservation Christmas’ campaign encourages a more sustainable approach to the festive season, with the spotlight on reducing environmental impact.

The heart of the campaign is an inventive and eco-friendly twist on a festive tradition: Christmas cards. Every year 30,000 tonnes of Christmas cards are thrown into landfill. This equates to the same weight as over 4400 elephants! As many as 33 million trees are chopped down each year to produce Christmas cards, which can lead to deforestation and habitat loss.

The ‘Conservation Christmas’ campaign instead encourages the creation of recycled seed paper Christmas cards. These cards are not only biodegradable but can be planted to grow native wildflowers to support many species, including butterflies and bees.

Speaking about the project, Education Manager Alexandra Davies from the Welsh Mountain Zoo commented: “Christmas is a time for giving and caring, and with ‘Conservation Christmas,’ we want to give the Earth a present too. By adapting our beloved traditions, such as switching to seed paper cards, we can help reduce deforestation and waste whilst giving our native plants and wildlife a boost. We’re delighted to offer this free project to our local community, and we hope it inspires long-lasting, eco-conscious actions.”

The Welsh Mountain Zoo’s project hopes to inspire sustainability, in a simple and fun way for the community. By partnering with schools, community groups, and other learning organisations, the zoo is offering free outreach workshops that support the creation of seed paper for their Christmas cards and explore the topic of sustainability.

To ensure the project is truly sustainable, the Zoo has partnered with Aberconwy Car & Vehicle Hire, who have kindly donated an eco-friendly hybrid car, to minimise the emissions impact when visiting schools. Additionally, free resources and lesson plans are provided to support teachers and group leaders in continuing the discussion of sustainability-focused education, supported in both Welsh and English.

Alongside promoting sustainable traditions, the project highlights the broader environmental message of conservation, a core value of the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Through outreach workshops and project resources, the zoo hopes to inspire the next generation to take an active role in supporting the planet.

Conservation Christmas workshops will be available throughout December, with free bookings open for schools, community groups, and other educational organisations. The supporting free lesson plans will complement key areas of the curriculum, making it accessible for teachers to integrate sustainability into their classrooms during the festive season.

With ‘Conservation Christmas,’ the Welsh Mountain Zoo is bringing a fresh, green perspective to a beloved tradition, helping North Wales embrace a more sustainable way of celebrating this year.

For more information on how to get involved, or to book a workshop, visit the Welsh Mountain Zoo’s website for our sign-up link or contact the education department directly at [email protected].