ENVIRONMENT NEWS

Greenspace Scotland - http://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/

Greenspace scotland is an independent charitable company. They work with a wide range of national and local partners to improve the quality of life of people living and working in urban Scotland through the planning, development and sustainable management of greenspaces. Activities include policy advocacy, partnership development and support, research, enabling and sharing practice.

New greenspace survey results - http://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/default.asp?page=433

Tayside Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a fairly new word to our language, but it is becoming more and more commonly used and understood. It simply signifies the variety of life on earth in all its shapes and sizes – from smallest insect and fungus to the largest mammal or tree. In Scotland alone we may have around 90,000 species; worldwide there could be at least 30 million!

Tayside has a very rich biodiversity resource that is vital to its economy: tourism relies on our beautiful landscape, insects pollinate our crops, and the land provides raw materials for our food, drink, clothing, buildings and roads.

The Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan has two main aims:
to co-ordinate existing actions, as well as initiating and co-ordinating new ones; and to conserve and enhance the region’s biodiversity, taking into account both local and national priorities. This is not just the task of government - it concerns everyone. We are all responsible for our actions and the impacts we have on our local surroundings.

http://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/

Real Nappies Campaign

Please pass this information on to anyone else you know who might be interested in giving real nappies a try.

For any other information, please contact Jennifer Elworthy, Dundee Real Nappy Project Officer on 07590 227155 or at real.nappies@dundeecity.gov.uk

Angus Countryside Rangers Service

At Crombie Country Park the countryside rangers are involved in clearing invasive species, creating glades and thinning birch scrub to encourage habitat diversity and thus improve conditions for the native plants and animals. There are regular volunteer sessions, one on a Tuesday morning from 9.30am until 12.30pm and the others occur as monthly events which are listed in the Country Park Diary for 2010. Duke of Edinburgh and School pupils are also welcome to participate as the rangers can provide placements to meet the needs of Service Awards and Work Experience.

Contact:Lesley Wood, Senior Countryside Ranger (01241 860360)

Email: crombiepark@angus.gov.uk

Ardler Environment Group

Involved in practical conservation projects in the local area.

Contact: 07985 874176

Email: emily.grace@dundeecity.gov.uk

http://www.ardlervillagetrust.org/environgroup.html

Broughty Ferry Environmental Project

Works with local people to enable them to come up with ideas and then plan, design and implement human-scale environmental projects. BFEP has been involved in a number of interesting and progressive projects in recent years, including:

· Wildlife habitat and creation, including the sand martin nesting banks on the esplanade in Broughty Ferry.

· Running a regular Nature Nutters group for local children.

· Creating stunning mosaics across the city

· Supporting a strong eco writing group.

· BFEP are also increasingly working in communities along the Dighty Burn,

Contact: 01382 436932

Email: environ.project@dundeecity.gov.uk

http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/~bfep/

Dundee Countryside Rangers Service

Afternoon volunteering opportunities are offered for set dates at a variety of local sites including Templeton and Middleton Woodlands, Trottick Ponds Nature Reserve and Balgay Hill. There are tasks to suit all ages and abilities and all tools and training are provided. It's a great opportunity to get healthy, meet like-minded people and do one's bit for the local wildlife. Free refreshments are provided at the end of each session. All that is required are some old warm and preferably waterproof clothes. Stout footwear is recommended though Wellingtons can be provided if the size is known in advance.

Contact: 01382 431848

Email: countryside.rangers@dundeecity.gov.uk

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/leisurecomms/csrangers/

Dighty Environmental Group

Works year round to maintain the quality of the Dighty burn and its immediate area. The group were winners of the Dundee Partnership Community Awards in 2007. To quote from the Awards, the group “continually encourage local people to take an interest in their environment. A dynamic and committed group of volunteers, they work in partnership with schools, voluntary groups and businesses to expand the number of willing hands brought to secure a worthwhile goal.” 

Contact: Helen Bell (01382 509372)

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/events/event.php?id=4567

Dundee Conservation Volunteers

"Undertake practical nature conservation work in the countryside around Dundee”.

Work organised for this year includes dry stone dyking, young tree care, control and clearance of invasive plants and conservation of more valued species e.g. greater yellow rattle. This attractive yellow plant is only found wild in Scotland at East Haven (near Carnoustie). These work days are organised to take place once a month on Sundays.

Email: dundeeconservationvolunteers@hotmail.com

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/adbswt/dcv.htm

 Dundee Freegle Group

The local section of a national grassroots organisation facilitating the giving and receiving of free unwanted items. Local charities, non-profit groups and communities are encouraged to join and help to keep anything reusable out of landfill sites.

Email: freegledundee-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freegledundee/

Dundee Red Squirrel Action Group

Carries out surveys to continually monitor the number of red and grey squirrels in the local area. Anyone is welcome to help out, even if only for a couple of hours each month.

Contact: Countryside Ranger Service (01382 431848)

Email: volunteer@dundeeredsquirrels.co.uk

http://www.dundeeredsquirrels.co.uk/volunter.htm

Dundee Travel Active

Helps people keep fit, save money and reduce their carbon footprint by encouraging them to walk or cycle more often. Volunteers are welcome to help with maintaining path networks and making them more pleasant to use, as well as raising publicity and funds.

Contact: 0800 111 4510

Email: info@dundeetravelactive.com

http://visuals.sdgworld.net/temp/dundeetravelactive/

Friends of the Earth Tayside

Contact: Anne Stuart (01241 828715)

Email: m.anne.stuart@googlemail.com

http://www.foe-tayside.org.uk/

Middleton Wood Management Group

Looks after “Dundee's Community Woodland”, located just north of Whitfield. Sunday work days include tree and wild flower plantings, wildlife surveys and clean-ups.

Contact: Countryside Rangers Service (01382 434000)

Email: countryside.rangers@dundeecity.gov.uk

http://www.middletonwoods.org.uk/index.html

Tayside Recyclers

With a focus on waste reduction and carbon saving, Tayside Recyclers is a non-profit making organisation accepting donations of household and office goods and furniture so that it can be put into re-use through their emporium. Volunteers have been with Tayside Recyclers right from the start and have always been an integral part of the organisation, helping it to provide opportunities and services not readily available in Dundee. There are a variety of volunteering opportunities available including joinery, bike and computer servicing for anyone interested.  

Contact: 01382 228986

Email: recycle@tfcr.org.uk

http://www.tfcr.org.uk/

All information kindly supplied by

Michael Barnard (researcher)
Tayside Foundation for the Conservation of Resources (01382 228986)