The Welsh Mountain Zoo has launched a community project for schools, learning groups, and other educational organisations.

The 'Conservation Christmas' campaign aims to encourage a more sustainable approach to the festive season, focusing on reducing environmental impact.

At the core of the campaign is an eco-friendly twist on Christmas cards.

Every year, 30,000 tonnes of Christmas cards end up in landfill, equivalent to the weight of over 4,400 elephants.

The 'Conservation Christmas' campaign promotes the creation of Christmas cards from recycled seed paper.

These biodegradable cards can be planted to grow native wildflowers, supporting various species, including butterflies and bees.

Alexandra Davies, education manager at Welsh Mountain Zoo said: "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 project aims to inspire sustainability in a simple and fun manner for the community.

By partnering with schools, community groups, and other organisations, the zoo is offering free outreach workshops to support the creation of seed paper for the Christmas cards and explore the topic of sustainability.

The zoo has partnered with Aberconwy Car & Vehicle Hire, who have donated a hybrid car to minimise emissions when visiting schools.

Additionally, free resources and lesson plans are provided to assist teachers and group leaders in continuing sustainability-focused education.

These resources are available in both Welsh and English.

The project also underlines the broader environmental message of conservation, a core value of the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

The zoo aims to engage and educate the next generation about global environmental stewardship through workshops and project resources.

Conservation Christmas workshops will be available throughout December, with free bookings open for schools, community groups, and other educational organisations.

The accompanying free lesson plans is designed to align with key areas of the curriculum to make it easy for teachers to incorporate sustainability into their classrooms during the festive season.

For more information on how to get involved, or to book a workshop, visit the Welsh Mountain Zoo’s website for a sign-up link or contact the education department at education@welshmountainzoo.org.