05 June, 2015
North East nature group offers community funding
The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership kicked off its Action Earth Project this week with a successful litter pick-up around Torry Battery in Aberdeen.
The partnership is now accepting applications for projects which can make a similar difference around the North East. Each project is eligible for up to £500 of funding. With core funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, Action Earth is organised by the charity, Volunteering Matters, and encourages volunteer activity on practical environmental projects.
Ewen Cameron of Scottish Natural Heritage in Aberdeen said:
“In the last few years, the dolphin activity around the mouth of Aberdeen harbour has drawn more and more people to Torry Battery. Unfortunately, the experience had been marred by the litter in the area. Hopefully the clean-up will encourage people to keep it that way.”
Rose Toney, Co-ordinator of the Biodiversity Partnership said:
“We’re looking for more community groups to come up with ideas for projects that could make a real difference in the outdoor green spaces in their communities. Acton Earth provides a little boost of cash that is often all we need to get a local group or project going on some environmental improvement or even to create a new habitat.”
Volunteering Matters have been using some of a large block grant from SNH to pass on smaller grants to organisations across Scotland who tackle environmental improvement projects in their own communities and local areas.
Ewen added:
“Everyone in Scotland shares responsibility for our natural heritage. But it can often be much more effective if we give money to an organisation like Volunteering Matters, which can then pass on small grants to help local groups get their own projects underway. The grant which filtered down to the North East Biodiversity Partnership is a great example of how a little can go a long way.”
To register a project, see what projects are already taking place in your area, or add a project idea, register at http://actionearth.csv.org.uk or call Action Earth at Volunteering Matters on 0131 222 9083.
MEDIA QUERIES
Contact Rose Toney, NESBAP coordinator at rose.toney@hutton.ac.uk
- Action Earth is organised by Volunteering Matters, 12 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8JQ.
- Volunteering Matters (formerly CSV - Community Service Volunteers) is the UK volunteering charity and creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, learning and community action. See www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk for more information.
Contact information
- Name
- SNH Media
- snhmedia@snh.gov.uk
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot
