Ramblers' Association

The Ramblers' Association is Britain's biggest organisation working for walkers, a registered charity that has worked for over 65 years to - protect Britain's unique network of public paths - all too often, they are illegally blocked, obstructed and overgrown. We work with local authorities to make them a pleasure to walk on.
• provide information to help you plan your walk and enjoy it in safety and comfort. Our information service is free and accessible to everyone through publications, personal enquiries and a contact-packed website.
• Increase access for walkers - our work is helping to establish statutory rights of access to our countryside.
• Safeguard the countryside from unsightly and polluting developments so that walkers can enjoy its tranquillity and beauty. We also promote sustainable transport and advise on public transport services for walkers
• Educate the public about their rights and responsibilities and the health and environmental benefits of walking so that everyone can enjoy our wonderful heritage.
• We have over 140,000 members across England, Scotland and Wales, and a network of 450 local walking groups. We depend on membership subscriptions to fund our work: members receive a fact-packed Yearbook, attractive quarterly magazine, membership of a walking group with access to hundreds of free expertly-led group walks a week and discretionary discounts at many outdoor retailers.

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Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

The Royal Commission, established by Royal Warrant in 1908, has a national role in the management of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales as the originator, curator and supplier of authoritative information for individual, corporate and governmental decision-makers, researchers and the general public.

To fulfil its role the Royal Commission compiles information by high-quality surveying, recording and interpreting of terrestrial and maritime archaeological and historical sites, structures and landscapes, particularly those of national or local importance which are threatened with destruction.

Its pre-eminent strategic objective, unique to it, is the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive dynamic archive in the form of a National Monuments Record, which includes an index to regional Sites and Monuments Records.

The Royal Commission also publicises the scope and publishes the results of its investigations. Recent volumes include major studies of the copper and related industries of the Swansea region, and the later medieval castles of Glamorgan, along with shorter publications on the Iron-Age hill-fort of Pendinas, Aberystwyth and the Victorian fortifications of the Severn Estuary. Increasing use is made of the Internet to disseminate news of the Commission's activities and the result of its researches.

A wide variety of organisations take advantage of the Commission's premier position as an advisor on the survey, interpretation, preservation and conservation of historical monuments and constructions. Its long experience and highly-skilled staff make it uniquely placed to undertake its other duties of setting standards and providing guidance and funding to other organisations and individuals to survey, record and interpret the archaeological landscapes and historic buildings of Wales.

The Royal Commission welcomes enquiries in person or by telephone, e-mail or fax.

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Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW)

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) is the Wales region of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and represents all Chartered Architects working in Wales. RIBA members take a responsible attitude to sustainable development and several Welsh practices have specialised in developing innovative approaches to sustainable design. We run regular training sessions on low energy design, open to all.

The RSAW believes that good design has real environmental and social benefits, as well as financial and economic advantages. Our members are keen to demonstrate that well-designed buildings do not just look better, but work better, last longer and make a substantial contribution to the quality of life.

Chartered Architects can advise on building and development projects of all sizes and types. They are trained to interpret clients' needs, assess the potential of the site and setting and develop initial ideas into a fully resolved design.

RSAW produces a list of architectural practices and offers a free client advisory service to help you find the right architect for your project.

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Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

The RSPB
Works for a healthy environment rich in birds and wildlife. It depends on the support and generosity of others to make a difference. The problems facing wild birds and the environment are large and complex. To make the biggest impact, we focus on priority species, habitats and sites, setting clear conservation objectives for each.

Research
• All of the RSPB's work is underpinned by research and investigation, much of which is carried out by our own scientists and special advisers

Policy
• We defend the implementation of laws and policies designed to protect wildlife

Our members
• We have more than one million members. These include Wildlife Explorers, our junior membership and RSPB Phoenix Group for teenagers

Volunteers
• Each year, over 9,000 volunteers help the RSPB, giving 650,000 hours of their time

Education
• We work to encourage an appreciation and understanding of the environment by ensuring that it is included in the National Curriculum for schools. We also provide resources for children's classroom studies

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RTPI

What is the RTPI?

The RTPI exists to advance the science and art of town planning for the benefit of the public. Town planning involves much more than dealing with planning applications, with work on the future planning of our towns and cities, and other economic, social and environmental initiatives.

The RTPI is a membership organisation, and a registered charity. Most of its members are fully qualified professional planners. Nearly two thirds work as planning officers for local councils. Others work for central government, property developers and other organisations with significant landholdings, or as teachers and researchers.

The RTPI provides direct help for members of the public through:
• publications explaining how the planning system works and how to use it;
• a nationwide Planning Aid network offering free planning advice to individuals and groups
• an environmental education programme, working with teachers, schoolchildren and local community groups
• award schemes which identify and promote the best of town planning.

Here in Wales, your local RTPI branch:
• holds events on topics of planning interest throughout Wales;
• publishes a quarterly newsletter;
• maintain links with other professional institutes in Wales;
• provides financial support and promotes the work of Planning Aid Wales;
• develops education material for use in local schools/colleges;
• runs an annual award for planning achievement.