Volunteers sought for MCS ‘Beachwatch Big Weekend’

Logo borrowed from: http://www.mcsuk.org/

"The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is looking for volunteers to join them on the beaches for ‘Beachwatch Big Weekend’ to tackle the tide of litter washing up on our shores, and the charity says they cannot do it without public support. They urgently need volunteers to take part in the UK’s biggest beach clean and litter survey, which takes place from the 14 - 17 of September, and will involve thousands of volunteers taking to the beaches all and around the UK coast. They’ll clean up and record the rubbish they find.

In 2011, nearly 4,500 volunteers cleaned 335 beaches, covering a total of 142.3 kilometres. 247,914 items of litter were collected filling over 2,177 bags. For every kilometre surveyed almost 1,741 pieces of litter were found.

Visit the MCS website for further information and to get involved."

Sustainable Scotland Network Conference, 8th November 2012

The Sustainable Scotland Network Conference on the 8th of November is now available for booking. You can access the programme and book a place via this link: http://conference.sustainable-scotland.net/programme.aspx

Sustainable Scotland Network's 11th annual conference will address how Scotland's local authorities and public sector organisations can better deliver action on climate change and sustainable development.


Photo borrowed from: http://conference.sustainable-scotland.net/programme.aspx



Nick Clegg: stand strong on climate change

Logo borrowed from: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/tell-clegg-to-stand-up-for-climate

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland supports the 38 degrees sign-up

"Right now, George Osborne is trying to tear up vital climate targets. But Nick Clegg can stop this happening. He’s made a strong public commitment to tackle climate change and he is the only Lib Dem who might have enough power to block George Osborne."

Send a letter to Nick Clegg via the 38 degrees webpage: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/tell-clegg-to-stand-up-for-climate

Fair Trade Campaign Day, 1st September 2012

The Scottish Fairtrade Forum would like to invite you to their Annual Campaign Day on 1st September at Paisley Town Hall from 11:30am. Please see their website for more details.

Free Tree Saplings for Community Planting!

I thought you might like to know that the Woodland Trust is offering community groups the chance to apply for packs of free trees as part of our Jubilee Woods campaign this year. Whether groups are interested in creating a faith, or inter-faith, green space; a community garden or allotment; or just want to enhance their local area - any community groups are very welcome to apply for our free trees and I’d be very happy to speak to any representatives about the packs and how to apply.
As 2012 is the Queen’s 60th Jubilee everyone who plants a tree this year will go down in history as they will be entered into the Royal Record – a copy of which will be presented to the Queen and the British Library at the end of the year.
The tree packs come in three sizes – 60 saplings, 105 saplings and 420 saplings in various themes – and you can find out more about them here www.jubileewoods.org.uk/community. The packs are due to be delivered week commencing 5 November (the deadline for applications is 20 August). Alternatively from 1 August they can apply for a pack to be delivered in spring 2013.





Please apply online or contact:

Beverley Gormley
Community Tree Packs Project Manager
Tel: 0845 293 5861
Email: BeverleyGormley@woodlandtrust.org.uk

£75,000 Fund Opens to Help Tackle Problem Flytipping

Logo borrowed from: http://www.dumbdumpers.org/SmallGrantForm.aspx

Zero Waste Scotland has announced that applications are being invited for a new £75,000 fund, to help transform areas blighted by illegal flytipping.  Grants of between £500 and £10,000 will be available to community groups, landowners and land managers who are consistently battling the problem of unlawfully dumped waste, such as furniture, TVs, white goods and garden and commercial waste. Last year, over 50 applications were received, with the successful projects awarded grants to clear over 127 tonnes of waste from 21 problem sites across Scotland. As well as funding the clean-up, a range of measures were put in place, including fencing, barriers and site signage to help prevent future flytipping and protect the environment. 

The scheme is administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland, with support from the Scottish Flytipping Forum, and the deadline for applications is 31 August 2012.

You can access the application form here!

Pledge your support to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation

The Scottish Fair Trade Forum need your support to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation!

Pledge Postcard photo from: http://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk/

If you wish to pledge your support for the Campaign to make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation please send them an email to info@sftf.org.uk

Please see our blog about the campaign for more information.

Repair Grants for Places of Worship deadline 31st August

From the Heritage Lottery Fund website:

"The Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme in Scotland is run in partnership with Historic Scotland. The scheme is open to all public places of worship in Scotland that are listed or considered to be of outstanding merit.

Programme priorities

This scheme funds urgent repairs that are needed to keep places of worship structurally stable and watertight. We will not consider applications for other work (including proposals for new facilities, kitchens and toilets) for a grant under this scheme. 

Application process

We will deal with applications in two batches. The closing dates for first round applications each year are:

• 28 February
• 31 August

Decisions about first round grants will be made within about six months of receiving your application. 

We strongly recommend you contact us for advice before making an application. You should complete the pre-application enquiry form and full application online. To do this register and apply."



Logo borrowed from their website.