Did you know that this year (2010) has been declared as the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations, and to celebrate Saturday 22nd May has been set aside as International Biodiversity Day.

So what does this mean and what is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life and is vital to human life on earth. Unfortunately many human activities are destroying biodiversity and sometimes this damage is irreversible.

This year is your chance to find out more about the special wildlife around you. On the 22 May South West Lakes Trust will be carrying out some of its ongoing monitoring and habitat enhancement activities but we're also encouraging you to take this opportunity to visit a Lake near you to explore and learn about the wildlife around the lakes and in Britain.

Enjoy a family picnic and take part in one of our free self-guided nature navigator quizzes available for Roadford Lake (near Okehampton), Tamar Lakes (near Bude) and Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor (near Yelverton).

The quizzes are designed for families and for Roadford and Tamar Lakes can be picked up from the visitor centres. For Burrator you can download the activity pack from the Trust's website http://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/conservation/get-involved

The Trust has a whole range of activities and events that you and your family can get involved in this year for further information visit our website or call 01566 771930.

There are many other ways to get involved and to find out more about biodiversity, for example you could volunteer with a wildlife group or for your local lake, manage your garden for wildlife or enjoy seasonal walks in the countryside. For more ideas visit www.biodiversityislife.net and www.devon.gov.uk/iyb