Welsh Journals

EDITORIAL Readers may have noticed that this issue of Nature in Wales looks rather unusual. The journal has not had a facelift for many years, and after much discussion the Editorial Board has decided that the time is ripe for a "new look" and also for certain changes in editorial policy. A number of important facts lie behind these decisions. Firstly, the Editorial Board has been enlarged to include representatives from all the Trusts for Nature Conservation in Wales, and we are delighted that it is now possible not only for each Trust to cooperate in influencing the future of the journal, but also for all the Trust members in Wales to receive it on a regular basis. Secondly, rising production costs have forced the Board to think long and hard about the future of the journal. We have decided that we must sell more advertising space in order to raise money, and that the size of our print run (at present about 3,600) must be increased to at least 5,000 if we are to keep unit costs down. (The greater the print run, the lower the price per copy.) And thirdly, there has been a "grass roots" feeling for some time among the readership of Nature in Wales that there should be changes both in the style and contents of the journal. The Board felt that it would be insensitive and short-sighted to resist this pressure for change, and under the wise Chairmanship of Dillwyn Miles we have been planning the evolution of the journal for the past three years or more. With this issue Volume 17 Part 1 many of these planned changes are put into effect. As far as the format of Nature in Wales is concerned, it is probably true to say that it has changed almost beyond recognition. We have a new-style glossy cover which is printed, as before, in two colours, but which is much more striking. The four issues of Volume 17 will be printed in the same red colour, and we may then change to a different colour for Volume 18. Each issue will have a new cover photograph (perhaps not always as exciting as the "Wales exclusive" which we have on the cover of this issue!), and the back cover will always carry a contents list. Inside the front cover we shall in future carry the Notice to Contributors, and the inside of the back cover will carry information about the Welsh Trusts. Starting with this issue, the journal is slightly larger than before, so that it now conforms with the international A5 format. The size of the printed area on each page is also increased, and we have decided to use a new type-face which is more modern and easier to read than the old one. We have instituted a new style of headings which are bolder and easier to find than in past issues of the journal, and among other changes in design the most noticeable is probably the increased use of illustrations. Most of these have been contributed free of charge by some of the very talented wildlife artists and photographers who live and work in Wales. We are extremely grateful for the practical support which they are giving to the journal, since we have no funds at present which can be used for the purchase of sketches and photographs. In spite of the changes outlined above, the main priority of the Editorial Board is to maintain the very high scientific reputation of the journal which has been built up patiently and skilfully by Dillwyn Miles during his years as Managing Editor. We shall, however, continue to treat the publication of original research and field observations as a priority. At the same time we feel that there is scope for a greater involvement in broader environmental topics and in matters of current concern in the field of conservation. Starting with this issue we are instituting a number of regular features which will, we hope, prove to be informative, stimulating and perhaps even provocative!