Call for communities in Sutherland to apply for environmental grants

The Action Earth campaign, run by national charity Volunteering Matters, has launched to help support communities to participate in outdoor environmental volunteering.

Projects can apply now to the campaign, which NatureScot funds, for funding.

Volunteering Matters Action Earth offers grants of up to £250 for environmental activities across Scotland.

This year it has 132 nature awards for volunteer groups carrying out practical environmental improvements or wildlife habitat creation in local urban spaces.

Previous projects have included wildflower meadow and pond creation, woodland and wetland renovations, bird and bat box siting, and creating or improving community gardens.

The campaign is also keen to hear from projects whose work benefits disadvantaged communities, especially in urban areas and in places with reduced local amenities.

NatureScot chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “The Action Earth campaign is a brilliant way for communities to make space for nature and protect local greenspaces, native wildlife and habitats – in turn, helping tackle the nature and climate crises. I encourage groups to apply and look forward to lots of exciting projects this year.”

For those looking for inspiration for their projects, the Volunteering Matters Action Earth website has instructions on how to build bird boxes, bat boxes, frog hibernacula, hedgehog boxes, and bee/insect homes.

NatureScot also hastips to help nature this spring through its Make Space for Nature campaign.

More information is available and applications can be made here

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