Environmental charity Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT) is urging individuals, community groups, schools and nurseries in West Lothian to sign up to an eco-competition aimed at increasing awareness of important environmental issues in today’s society.
The Greatest Greenspace contest encourages people to pick up their rakes and spades and better their local surroundings to be in with the chance of winning a shopping spree at a local Dobbies Garden Centre.
The competition’s Educational Environment category provides the perfect opportunity for schools and nurseries to enhance their green credentials and engage pupils in learning about the environment. Participating establishments should send photography of a green project within their grounds and explain how it helps to increase the biodiversity of the local area and promote positive environmental messages to pupils.
The Green Garden category urges aspiring horticulturists to plant wildflowers in their gardens or allotments, and cultivate their own fruit and vegetables, to encourage biodiversity and boost the economy and ecology of the local environment. Entrants should send photography of their plot along with a description of the wildflowers, plants and vegetables grown, as well as information on the wildlife it attracts.
Simon Rennie, Chief Executive at CSFT, said: “In addition to planting trees and increasing woodland cover in the Central Scotland Forest area, CSFT aims to engage communities in protecting their local environment.
“Our Greatest Greenspace competition provides a valuable learning resource for local schools and nurseries, and also gives locals a chance to support environmental biodiversity on their doorsteps, through the planting of a variety of wildflowers, hedgerows and plants – which can have a highly beneficial effect.”
Not only will the winning participants receive the accolade of Educational Environment or Green Garden of the Year, but they’ll also get £100 of vouchers for Dobbies Garden Centre to help them maintain an environmentally friendly green space all year round.
Competition entries should be submitted by email to csftcompetition@bigpartnership.co.uk or by post to CSFT Competition, The BIG Partnership, 3rd Floor, Fountain House, 1-3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow, G3 7UL by Friday 15th November 2013.
For further information about Central Scotland Forest Trust please visit http://www.csft.org.uk. You can also follow CSFT on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Submitted by Central Scotland Forest Trust
