Environmental volunteering is key to healthier happy more employable young people says SNH chairman

Examples of environmental volunteering projects

The Green Team is an environmental organisation based in the Lothians. They work with young people to restore and conserve wild places as an important part of learning about the natural heritage of Scotland. One of the programmes they offer is Green Angels, a project for girls aged 12-18. The girls take part in practical conservation work each month in and around Edinburgh. The project offers opportunities to discover and explore some of the most stunning countryside in the Lothians whilst making substantial practical improvements. The programme gives the girls new experiences, allows them to make new friends and learn about the natural environment in a fun and exciting way.

Urban Roots is a community led organisation working across the Southside of Glasgow. The project aims to inspire people and communities to connect with nature, and take practical action that makes a positive difference to their own lives, their communities and the planet. Activities include community gardening, conservation and biodiversity improvement work, education, workshops and schools projects.

Shettleston Community Growing group is a partnership project run by residents in the Shettleston and Tollcross area of Glasgow. It aims to increase local food production by bringing an unsightly piece of vacant land back into productive use. The project highlights the physical and mental health benefits of gardening and promotes healthier eating. The site is fully accessible for wheelchair users and the raised beds are ideal for people who might find a traditional allotment space too demanding. Two local primary schools have growing spaces on the site for use in their studies. They are learning about the environmental cost of transporting food and the importance of growing, eating or buying local seasonal produce. The project is assisted by Shettleston Housing Association and Glasgow City Council's Greenspace Team. It received support from the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund and Glasgow City Council.

Friends of Possilpark Greenspace are a group of local residents working to raise the standard of their local environment, in one of Glasgow's most deprived areas. The organisation's aims are to enhance open spaces, conserve the natural environment and promote and enhance biodiversity in Possilpark and the surrounding area. The group also aim to make sure that the community has an active role in the decisions that take place in relation to the park and its practical management.

Sustrans - Greener Greenways In this project volunteers are trained in wildlife identification, survey and habitat management through a range of courses delivered by Sustrans or external partners. They put their new skills into place by surveying their allocated stretch of traffic-free route of the National Cycle Network (NCN) or by taking part in work days on some of the traffic-free routes. Volunteer surveys and work days contribute to better knowledge of ecological interest on the NCN, enhancement of biodiversity and overall enjoyment of the route users. In Scotland, the project is targeting 100km of greenways managed by Sustrans and over 100km of greenways owned and managed by other organisations. These are part of just under 600 miles of traffic-free greenways in Scotland. The project will run in Scotland for three years, between August 2013 and August 2016.

Sustrans - Greener Greenways In this project volunteers are undertaking a series of surveys, data searches and consultation with conservation organisations to identify which types of flora and fauna inhabit the National Cycle Network. In Scotland, the project is targeting 100km of greenways managed by Sustrans and over 100km of greenways owned and managed by other organisations. These are part of just under 600 miles of traffic-free greenways in Scotland. The project will run in Scotland for three years, between August 2013 and August 2016.

Friends of Glasgow LNRs This is a voluntary group carrying out practical conservation work working across 10 local nature reserves in the Glasgow area. The group gets involved in raising awareness of the city's nature reserves and wildlife. It works with the council to ensure the reserves are managed effectively. It also organises and supports practical conservation days or events in the city.

Westquarter Wildlife Group This is a community group delivering greenspace improvements in Westquarter Glen in the Falkirk area and then encouraging people to use the improved sites.

Polbeth Community Green Gym This West Lothian community group is working to turn a derelict market garden site into a Garden for Life' which will be a community garden for everyone on Polbeth, West Calder and surrounds.