Posted in Uncategorized on February 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »
This week, the site for the new greenhouse at the Healthy Heart Garden in Paisley was being prepared. Renfrewshire Council’s Community Service Unit has been assisting volunteers with clearing and levelling the site over recent weeks. The installation of the new greenhouse is expected to be completed by the end of March 2015. Another greenhouse is located nearby and it is being repaired. This project is funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged FOOD, gardening on December 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Uncategorized on April 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »
This week, we received a letter from the Scottish Government promoting “Fit in ’14” which is a nationwide initiative to encourage us to become more physically active, in and out the workplace.
The benefits of a more active workforce are listed as:
– lower levels of staff illness, absence and quicker recovery times
– reduction in stress
– increased satisfaction at work
– a more productive workforce
We have to register online to take part and support activities to be more active including getting off the bus a couple of stops early, and cycling to work.
Details available at: fitin14.org/getting started
Posted in Biodiversity, Events on April 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »
As part of Climate Week event, people involved in the Fork to Fork Learning and Training Project met up with Anthony McCluskey, Outreach Officer of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust at Capability Scotland, West Lane Gardens, Johnstone.
Anthony gave a very informative talk about how bumblebees have been declining because of changes in agricultural practices that have largely removed flowers from our farms and local landscape, leaving the bumblebees with little to feed upon. Most UK species of bumblebee have greatly declined in recent years, and two have become extinct in the UK since 1940.
Across the UK, there are 24 species of bumblebee but only eight are found in most areas. Bumblebees are found in a variety of habitats and it is possible to attract them to gardens provided there are appropriate flowering plants.
Anthony highlighted that some species are less common and are only found in a few places. For example, the Great yellow bumblebee is now only found on the north coast and some islands of Scotland. This species previously had a wide distribution throughout the UK, but habitat degradation has seen its numbers decline dramatically in most places.
To learn more about bumblebees, please log on to: http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/
Posted in Biodiversity, Campaign, Uncategorized on April 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species has written to highlight that their survey shows that “hedgehogs have declined by a third in the UK over the last ten years and by as much as half in some regions”.
There is an ongoing campaign known as “Hedgehog Street” which is making progress but there is still much more to be done.
The reasons for the decline are given as poor hedgerows, larger agricultural fields, use of pesticides, and busier roads.
It is especially important to restore hedgerows to provide shelter and for field margins and grasslands to be sensitively managed.
For more information, please log on to:http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/
Posted in Biodiversity, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Uncategorized on May 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The Trust supports environmental education programmes with local groups and this includes working with pupils and staff within primary schools.
We have provided assistance in learning activities for young people interested in improving habitats for wildlife within their playgrounds. In recent weeks, we facilitated the creation of a bug hotel using recycled pallets.
This work promotes the development of project ideas by pupils and staff involved in the Eco-committees. Future plans could include the planting of fruit trees, wildflower meadows, and creation of a pond in a water logged areas.
Posted in Biodiversity, FOOD, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Uncategorized on January 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »
From the beginning of December 2012 to the end of March 2013, the Trust is providing gardening skills workshops, both indoor and outdoor, within the training facilities and community gardens at 74 Love Street, Paisley.
We are working with up ten adult participants with learning and physical disabilities for 7 hours per week. Up to five volunteers will work alongside the sessional worker to support learning by participants.
The community garden will be accessed by other adults for therapeutic and health benefits including relaxation, and short walks.
This is possible thanks to funding from Foundation Scotland.
Posted in Biodiversity, Uncategorized on January 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Uncategorized on December 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The Fork to Fork Training and Learning Project celebrated the completion of Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Certificates on 23rd october 2012. A total of 12 participants received their full certificates from Margaret Teale of the Society.
Over the winter months, a group of new participants will undertake a learning programme botth indoors and outdoors, with the aim of completing the certificate from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. This is funded by the Hugh Fraser Foundation and the Scottish Community Foundation.
Posted in Uncategorized on September 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »
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A series of events have been taking place in Renfrewshire as part of this special month.
On 6 October 2012 from 10.00am – 4pm, you can help with conservation tasks at Finlaystone Country Estate.
For information telephone 01475 540505.
Activities will take place from the Visitor Centre, Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank, Renfrewshire, PA14 6TJ. Bring energy, old work clothes, boots, waterproofs, your lunch & enthusiasm!
Individual and group volunteering opportunities available at other times.
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Renfrewshire Environmental Trust's Blog 