(Heritage Interview)
Weather forecaster and journalist Sian Lloyd loves the countryside of her native Wales. She believes that we can all help to look after our environment and meet the challenges of climate change.
HM: Recently you've been doing a lot with the Woodland Trust. What first drew you to environmental work?
Anyone involved with the weather will have concerns about climate chage as it makes you realise that we have you do something about our environment. Trees are the lungs of the planet, so there is a basic link between trees and the environment. My first dealings with the Woodland Trust involved planting trees at Granllyn Pool near Welshpool. I was inspired by the commitment of local people who raised money to buy the site.
HM: Has being a TV weather presenter given you a particular take on environmental questions?
Obviously, because records are constantly being broken. I've often opened with the enws that it's the hottest or wettest month since records began. I'm off to Antarctica later this year to see more evidence of how climate change is affecting our planet.
HM: What are the best ways to get young people involved in caring for our natural heritage?
Planting trees is one of the best ways. There's nothing better than getting your hands dirty planting a tree and then seeing the fruits of your labour. It starts with a little sapling that grows up with you for the rest of your life: as you mature so does the tree. That kind of involvement is the beset kind of inspiration. I recently worked with kids in Gwent - it was great to share their excitement. There's something about being close to nature and contributing to it.
HM: What are the places or landscapes that mean most to you?
Mid-Wales landscapes are my favourites. I like a landscape with rolling, gentle hills planted with indigenous trees. Mid-Wales is very like that.
HM: Could you tell us about your own most treasured piece of heritage - like an heirloom or memento?
A bakestone that you can make Welshcakes or drop-scones on. You put it on top of the Aga to cook. It came to me from my grandmother and she inherited it from her grandmother, so it's something that I really treasure.