Convener launches CSV Action Earth 2007 Campaign
Monday, January 15 2007
Scottish Borders Council Convener Alasdair Hutton will launch the CSV Action Earth 2007 Campaign at the Thistle Foundation Community Wildlife Garden at Craigmillar in Edinburgh with Deputy Minister for Communities, Des McNulty MSP.
Councillor Hutton said, “The great point about Action Earth is that it gives local people the information and opportunity to take part, often for the first time, in a volunteering activity which can lead to new skills and new friendships.”
“It also provides small, easy-to-access grants of up to £50 to local volunteers and community groups to help them purchase tools, equipment and materials and to cover volunteer expenses.
“It provides people with information about environmental issues and sustainability and encourages them to improve local biodiversity and it offers local people help to develop and publicise new projects and opportunities to volunteer.”
Councillor Hutton, who is also Chairman of CSV Scotland and a Trustee of CSV UK, said he wanted to make sure that as many people as possible knew about CSV Action Earth and applied to be part of it.
“In the Borders projects have already been registered in Hawick and Peebles and I hope there will be many more before the end of the 2007 campaign on 3 June.”
Mr McNulty is due to speak, at the launch, on how everyone doing a little, even once a year can make a big difference to our quality of life, to the natural environment and to biodiversity and commented that CSV’s Action Earth campaign made it easier for people regardless of age, background or location to volunteer - especially for those new to volunteering - by providing ideas and practical and financial support.
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CSV Action Earth is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Councillor Hutton also welcomed the Chairman of SNH, Andrew Thin, to the launch and invited him to hand over the items purchased with the Action Earth grant (plants, shrubs, bird and insect boxes) to Thistle Foundation representatives.
Action Earth projects must be practical and visual, have an immediate or lasting benefit to the environment, involve new or existing volunteers and take place before 3 June 2007. Anyone who wants to know more about the campaign or would like to register a project can do it through www.actionearth.org.uk
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