Biodiversity is essential to our health and well-being, our economy and ultimately our lives. The whole family will be able to enjoy biodiversity at this three-day event when the Museum will come alive with a mix of free activities.

Have you thought about driving 5 miles less each week, getting involved with your local conservation group, planting native trees in your garden or asking your local restaurant if they buy their seafood from sustainable sources?

Join organisations and groups from across Wales to celebrate the global campaign, International Year of Biodiversity 2010 (IYB2010) from 20 – 22 May 2010 and make a difference.

Get free advice and top tips by the partners including the Wales Biodiversity Partnership and Wildlife Trusts Wales, about how to protect biodiversity at home, and make a pledge to Do One Thing to help tackle the issue.

As part of Adult Learning Week you can explore the collection held in store and meet the curators. Book special behind the scenes tours on Saturday 22 May (at 11.30am and 2.30pm) showing collections that are not usually on display such as insects and fossils and gain an insight into research work carried out by Museum scientists.

Rhys Jones - BBC wildlife presenter will be present, accompanied by his reptile friends. Cardiff Council will also be joined by live reptiles and amphibians. RSPB Cymru will be on hand showing people the peregrines nesting on City Hall Clock Tower via telescopes and the nest-cam, whilst the Environment Agency will have a large cube game for children.

The Ancient Tree Hunt will be offering trails for children to find animals in surrounding trees and Swansea University will be looking at the diversity of animals, food webs and evolution through microscopes.

The event will also celebrate what’s already being done in Wales by organisations and initiatives such as BBC Breathing Places, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and the British Ecological Society, SEWBReC, Wales Gene Park, Coed Cymru and the Countryside Council for Wales.

This event is part of the world-wide celebrations of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. The diversity of life on earth is crucial for human well-being and now is the time to act to preserve it. For information on events, initiatives and exhibitions across the UK visit www.biodiversityislife.net