BMC needs your vote to secure funding to stop the toll of single use pollution on Yr Wyddfa

Yr Wyddfa, one of the UK’s most treasured mountain landscapes, is under threat. Single use pollution has accumulated in its gullies, damaging the fragile ecosystem and endangering rare species.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is determined to tackle this problem head-on through the Yr Wyddfa Big Clean Up in North Wales, but we need your help to secure essential funding from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) - an organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring wild places worldwide.
EOCA funds grassroots conservation projects that protect fragile ecosystems, restore natural landscapes, and safeguard wildlife. Over the years they have helped remove plastic pollution in rivers and coastlines to reforesting areas in Scotland and Sweden, as well as conserving habitats for species like bears in Italy and elephants in Thailand. This year our project has been shortlisted, and we can bring this crucial support to Eryri, North Wales.
Dr Catherine Flitcroft, the BMC’s Head of Access and Conservation, speaks to the importance of this initiative:
“Despite the incredible efforts of volunteers in 2024, thousands of pieces of litter remain hidden in hard-to-reach gullies, impacting rare plant species and wildlife. This funding would allow us to expand our clean-up efforts, protect fragile habitats, and gather crucial data to push for stronger environmental policies.”
Tom Carrick, the BMC’s Access and Conservation (Wales) and organiser of the Big Clean Up, said:
“Yr Wyddfa is home to some incredibly rare arctic alpine species, however sadly single use pollution is having a negative effect both on the species and the habitat they live in, many of these species are on an elevator to extinction being pushed to the summit in an increasingly narrow area for them to survive due to climate change and damage to the land.
“The BMC with its partners are on a mission to help improve their chances, by doing clean ups in inaccessible parts of the mountain, putting pressure on government and big brands to make changes, and educating visitors on the effects they are having.”
Why this project matters
The BMC’s project aims to begin the restoration of Yr Wyddfa by:
Removing over 5,000 pieces of litter from remote mountain areas with the help of skilled mountaineers and technical rope teams.
- Protecting endangered Arctic Alpine species
- Engaging volunteers and local communities in hands-on conservation efforts across 10 hectares.
- Collecting data on litter sources to support stronger environmental policies, including a deposit return scheme and a ban on single-use waste.
- Calling on big brands such as Lucozade and Coca-Cola to do more about where their products end up.
- Raising awareness among visitors to reduce future waste and protect Snowdonia’s fragile ecosystem.
- Conducting long-term surveys (2025-2026) to track habitat recovery and ecological improvements.
How can you help?
Your vote is essential in securing this funding and making this project a reality. Here’s how you can support:
- Visit EOCA’s website: www.eocaconservation.org
- Find Project Yr Wyddfa Big Clean Up, Wales
- Click to vote and help us secure the funding
- Share this with friends, family, and fellow outdoor lovers – every vote makes a difference
EOCA has funded incredible conservation projects across the globe - now, with your help, we can bring this vital support to Yr Wyddfa.
The public vote will take place from 31st March (12:01hrs BST / 13.01 CEST) and will run until the 14th April (12:00hrs BST / 13.00 CEST).
Related Content
Rock Climbing
The new owners of Masson Lees Quarry, Derbyshire, hope to resolve the long-term controversy over parking issues, and many more improvements, thanks to funding from the BMC's Access & Conservation Trust.
Access News
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) supports the community of Cwmparc, Treorchy, who have seen access blocked on an essential route connecting the village with the woodland and mountain trails.
Access News
Consultation on Wales’ proposed new National Park – member’s views needed.
Mend Our Mountains Articles
Do you have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) days to fill or is your company looking for new and exciting CSR days for your staff? The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has the answers.
Hill Walking News
Over 800 drinks containers were removed from Wales’ highest peak last weekend causing environmental campaigners to demand the urgent introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for bottles and cans.
Area Meetings
Area Meetings are run by volunteers and provide an opportunity for you to discuss issues and influence decisions affecting climbers and walkers locally and nationally, and to meet like-minded people and enjoy a sociable night out (or 'in' on Zoom). Area Meetings also provide the platform for election to a range of volunteer roles within the BMC.
Mend Our Mountains Articles
Did you know that the 140,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways we have access to in England and Wales are under serious threat? The footpaths you love the walk on are disappearing fast before our eyes due to erosion from increased footfall and more extreme weather conditions. Here are 14 reasons why we can't ignore footpath erosion.
Access News
The Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Big Clean Up event marks an unprecedented effort to begin to rid the mountain of decades-old litter, including a misplaced Santa hat! Over two days, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st September, dedicated volunteers and specialists undertook a challenging mission to clean one of Wales’ most iconic natural landmarks.
Rock Climbing
A peregrine survey by boat with high-quality photography organised by local BMC Access Reps Iain Peters and James Mann has helped to identify peregrine nesting sites so that a blanket ban on climbing at the Cornish climbing site of Carn Cowla can be lifted. A temporary ban had been put in place by the National Trust covering the cliffs between Tubby Head and Bawden Cliff, including major route locations up to and beyond the America Buttress. The ban has now been lifted so all sections are open, with only crag- and area-specific restrictions in place when necessary.
News
The BMC is pleased to announce our membership of Sports for Nature (S4N) - the first mountaineering organisation to do so. S4N enables and encourages sporting bodies to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration, an initiative that aligns completely with the BMC’s values, including our ongoing access and conservation work, aims for net-zero emissions by 2040 and new Climate & Sustainability Action Plan.
News
The sphagnum season is upon us again! Now that the ground-nesting birds have stopped ground-nesting, it’s time for BMC volunteers to start planting this incredible, carbon-sequestering moss at strategic locations across the Peak District moorland. Can you help us?
Rock Climbing
A climbers’ meeting this week expressed their opposition to the continued ban on climbing at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire, imposed by Forestry England.
Area Meetings
The next BMC Cymru North Wales Area Meeting will take place on Wednesday 30th April, at the Old Lifeboat Station, Conwy The meeting will start at 7.30pm.
News
This weekend the BMC joined Avon Access Rep Ben Darby and his team of volunteers near Bristol to install 28 new belay stakes on Main Wall so that climbers no longer need to rely on the wobbly old iron fence as an anchor point. Vegetation was also cleared and a thorough litter pick was carried out.
Access News
Yesterday, former Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Boardman CBE met with BMC staff in the Peak District to highlight projects that are successfully fighting the climate crisis.
Access News
Proposals to make ordinary trespass a criminal offence have alarmed outdoor groups, including the BMC. Ahead of a debate in Parliament on the issue and the possibility of Government publishing the Police Powers and Protections Bill, Ed Douglas calls for the Government to think again.
Access News
There are concerns that government are considering moves to turn trespass from a civil offence to a criminal one. In a public consultation that is currently out for comment, it has been suggested that police powers could be strengthened to force people to move on from unauthorised encampments. The BMC is concerned however, that there could be unintentional consequences of the proposals around issues such as wild camping.
Access Articles
Access to the south side of Cheddar Gorge is fragile and relies upon climbers following the agreements in place with the landowner.
Rock Destinations
Climbers have a responsibility to understand the relevant access and conservation issues associated with the places we climb. Here are a few pointers to help you enjoy these areas sustainably.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Rock Climbing Articles
In this booklet for managers and landowners, the aim has been to address a range of common questions and concerns about rock climbing in disused quarries. Covering all aspects of access and liability, through a selection of case studies, it showcases the benefits not just for climbers, but for the wider public and land managers themselves. Benefits which can be realised with assistance from climbers and the BMC, through the repurposing of disused quarries as rock climbing destinations.
Hillwalking Skills
Camping ‘wild’ is a different way of spending the night outdoors but it isn't allowed everywhere - with a responsible approach however, there are many remote areas where you can still rest your weary head under a star-filled sky.
Rock Climbing News
The stats are in from the Bangor University Mountaineering Society's (BUMS, excellent acronym) crag clean up at Penmaen Head, a limestone sport climbing venue in North Wales, near Colwyn Bay.
Climate Articles
Want to know more about how you can reduce your own personal carbon footprint and lessen your impact on the environment? We’ve tried to make it simple for you by producing three separate checklists – for yourself, your workplace and for any events you might be arranging.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Climate Articles
The BMC has welcomed another conservation project into The Climate Project portfolio, planting seagrass with Seagrass Ocean Rescue in conjunction with the North Wales Wildlife Trust. This is in addition to the current sphagnum moss planting and peatland restoration with Moors for the Future in the Peak District that you can also get involved with here.
Access & Conservation
With the general election announced for Thursday 4 July 2024, get behind the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) as we lobby for more access to nature, outdoor education and more protection for the places we love to walk and climb in. Pick one (or all!) of the below and ask your election candidates if they will back it and why it’s important to them.
Access News
As the general election date draws nearer, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) have reviewed the manifestos from each party to help you make a more informed choice when it comes to protecting the landscapes and crags that we love to walk in and climb on.
Access & Conservation
The Labour Party has announced three policies to help connect people with nature. The British Mountaineering Council has advocated for greater access to nature for many decades and welcomes action to promote this – we’ve therefore taken a look at each policy individually.
Rock Destinations
The Landscape Project is the BMC's latest film series that brings climbing and natural history together. Presenter Nathan Chrismas, a biologist and ecologist, shares his deep knowledge and passion for the geological and ecological highlights of four hugely popular climbing and walking areas.
Access News
Wildlife and Countryside Link—a coalition of over 80 charities including the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust and WWF UK—is challenging all political parties to set out how they would halt wildlife decline by 2030, ahead of the General Election.
Volunteering News
This week is Volunteering Week 3 - 9 June so why not get involved with one of the many BMC volunteering opportunities? There are loads to choose from, including helping out at climbing competitions, leading hill walks at events and litter picking nationwide, planting seagrass in Wales, repairing footpaths in the Lake District and restoring peat bogs in the Peak District.
Access Articles
BMC volunteers from the Get Stuck In programme joined Fix the Fells last month in Wasdale on Lingmell Breast, one of the main routes up to Scafell Pike. They spent the day helping to maintain part of this hugely popular footpath up to England’s highest mountain.
Hillwalking Destinations
This May is National Walking month, so to celebrate the power of a good old stomp around the UK’s countryside, nine of the BMC staff have shared their favourite hike. From fossil-hunting in the Peak District and airy Scottish scrambling to the Via Alpina in Switzerland, one of these is bound to tickle your fancy this spring or summer. Better still, with the BMC collaborations with Komoot and HotelPlanner, you can plan and navigate your route and find your accommodation for your trip for less!
Mend Our Mountains Articles
The Watkin Path up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and the peat hags on neighbouring mountain Glyder Fach have benefitted from BMC volunteer improvement work on the latest Get Stuck In event, 15-16 April 2024. This was organised by Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Access & Conservation Officer (Wales) Tom Carrick as part of the Mend Our Mountains project, funded by the BMC Access & Conservation Trust.
Access Articles
Grabbing your attention with this beautiful picture of a Kestrel (Cudull Coch)! Now that the rain has subsided a little, it's a good time to remind everyone that we share our crags with many other creatures, notably our feathered friends who like to nest where we like to climb.
Access News
This April, local climbers have cleared overgrowing vegetation on the main crag at Wildcat, a popular collection of buttresses near Matlock Bath with a good selection of classic long, mid-grade routes.
Mend Our Mountains Articles
The BMC’s volunteering arm, Get Stuck In, donated £1,500 to Fix the Fells this week to buy footpath repair tools to enable our teams to quite literally get stuck in to fixing the mountain footpaths in the Lake District.
Climate Articles
The sphagnum-planting season has come to an end to allow the ground-nesting birds to, well, ground nest! Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped the BMC to plant over 16,000 plugs of this super soggy, carbon-locking moss this winter, helping to restore the Peak District peat bog.
Access News
The BMC have been hard at work presenting the Outdoors For All Manifesto to parliament, kick-starting a new addition to The Climate Project, arranging re-bolting, cleaning up crags and consulting on access across England and Wales. Here are the highlights as we swing into spring.
This Valentine’s Day, show your love for our land by sharing the BMC’s new Access Land film to help campaign for better access to wild spaces.
Access News
This Valentine’s Day, show your love for our land by sharing the BMC’s new Access Land film to help campaign for better access to wild spaces.
News
Only 20% of Wales is considered open access land. The BMC has been campaigning for increased access to nature in Wales for many years and is now calling for new legislation – a Right to Roam Bill.
Access News
The BMC supports Dartmoor National Park Authority in its appeal against a ban on wild camping.
Access News
The recent advertisement offering Kilnsey Crag for sale at a price of £150k presents an opportunity to remind members about how the BMC approaches potential land acquisitions. We're also on the lookout for specialist volunteers to support our land management work.
Mountaineering News
The Cwm Idwal Winter Monitoring system is now back live and with new equipment and software. Ready for you to head up the hills in the best wintery conditions.
Hillwalking Destinations
Nature photographer and explorer John Beatty talks about the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia, and why he goes there in search of connection and space.
Following a petition that received over 5000 signatures, the National Park in Eryri was spurred to take action to use the Welsh names of Eryri (Snowdonia) and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) as the primary names in both English and Welsh context.