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New Environment Centre for Wales

4 December 2003

Issued jointly by the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of Wales, Bangor.

A new Welsh centre of excellence for environmental science has been given the green light by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

The Environment Centre for Wales will bring together the scientific expertise of NERC's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and the University of Wales, Bangor (UWB). Housed in a new, purpose-built laboratory on the university campus, the centre will allow CEH and University staff to work together more closely to provide a focal point for environmental science research and training in Wales.

Professor Pat Nuttall, Director of CEH, said "By joining forces with the University we have a unique opportunity to create an international hub for environmental science in Wales. I am delighted that NERC's Council has given the go-ahead for this important new venture."

The new centre will bring together and build on the existing strengths of the two organisations. It aims to provide fresh opportunities for research spanning the boundaries of terrestrial, freshwater and marine sciences, to develop new approaches to managing both the land and sea in a sustainable way. The scientists will benefit from having state of the art facilities in a landmark building which will act as a focal point for environmental research within Wales.

Vice-Chancellor for UWB, Professor Roy Evans, said, "This is great news for Wales. I'm certain that, once established, the new Environment Centre will become the heart of environmental science in Wales, providing jobs and international expertise for the region in the years to come."

Canolfan yr Amgylchedd Newydd i Gymru

Datganiad i'r wasg: Cyhoeddwyd ar y cyd gan Gyngor Ymchwil yr Amgylchedd Naturiol a Phrifysgol Cymru, Bangor.

Mae Cyngor Ymchwil yr Amgylchedd Naturiol (NERC) wedi rhoi rhwydd hynt i fwrw ymlaen â chanolfan o ragoriaeth newydd Gymreig ar gyfer gwyddorau'r amgylchedd.

Bydd Canolfan yr Amgylchedd Cymru yn cyfuno arbenigedd wyddonol Canolfan Ecoleg a Hydroleg (CEH) NERC a Phrifysgol Cymru, Bangor (PCB). Bydd y ganolfan, a leolir mewn labordy newydd pwrpasol ar gampws y brifysgol, yn ganolbwynt i ymchwil a hyfforddiant yng Nghymru ym maes y gwyddorau amgylcheddol.

Meddai'r Athro Pat Nuttall, Cyfarwyddwr CEH, "Trwy ymuno â'r Brifysgol mae gennym gyfle unigryw i greu canolbwynt rhyngwladol i wyddoniaeth amgylcheddol yng Nghymru. Rwyf wrth fy modd bod Cyngor NERC wedi rhoi'r caniatâd i fwrw ymlaen â'r fenter bwysig newydd hon."

Bydd y ganolfan newydd yn dod â chryfderau'r ddau sefydliad at ei gilydd ag yn adeiladu arnynt. Ei nod yw rhoi cyfleoedd newydd ar gyfer ymchwil yn ymwneud â gwyddorau daear, dwr cryow a môr, i ddatblygu dulliau newydd i reoli y tir a'r mor mewn modd chynaliadwy. Bydd y gwyddonwyr yn manteisio o gael cyfleusterau modern mewn adeilad adnabyddadwy a fydd yn actio fel y pwynt focal i ymchwil amgylcheddol yng Nghymru.

Meddai Is-Ganghellor PCB, Yr Athro Roy Evans, "Mae hwn yn newyddion rhagorol i Gymru. Unwaith y caiff ei draed dano, rwy'n sicr y bydd y Ganolfan newydd yn dod yn ganolbwynt gwyddor yr amgylchedd yng Nghymru, gan ddarparu swyddi ac arbenigedd ryngwladol yn y rhanbarth am lawer blwyddyn i ddod."

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Elinor Elis-Williams
Press Officer
University of Wales, Bangor
Tel: 01248 383298


Notes

1. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is one of the UK's research councils. It uses a budget of about £270m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.

2. The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) is one of NERC's Research Centres. It incorporates scientific expertise across a range of disciplines including environmental microbiology and virology, terrestrial and freshwater ecology, and hydrology. Its research is aimed at improving our understanding of both the environment and the processes that underlie the Earth's support systems. CEH is particularly interested in the impacts of human activity on natural environments.

3. The University of Wales, Bangor has a strong research base across a spectrum of academic disciplines engaging in research at national and international levels and continues to develop academic specialisms which have a world-wide impact. The University provides strong support for research activities including encouraging links with commercial and industrial bodies in the UK and overseas. The University also aims to be responsive to local and regional needs and is particularly conscious of its role as a research resource and a training base for North Wales.

The University has 90 environmental scientists spread across three departments, the Schools of Agriculture & Forest Sciences, Biological Sciences and Ocean Sciences, and related socio-economic expertise in two others. Co-ordination between the Schools is the responsibility of the Institute of Environmental Sciences.

Press release: 28/03

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