A Scottish Minister will be helping volunteers replant a community wildlife garden for the launch of environmental volunteering campaign CSV Action Earth in Scotland. Des McNulty MSP, Deputy Minister for Communities, will be joining around 20 volunteers, including recovering drug and alcohol users, as they replant flowers and build bird, bat and insect boxes to encourage local wildlife to the garden.

The volunteering will begin at 10.45am on Wednesday 17 January at the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh, a charity supporting disabled people to lead independent lives. The activity is taking place thanks to a £50 grant available for CSV Action Earth projects in Scotland. A further 150 grants, supplied by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), are being made available to help groups kick-start their CSV Action Earth projects.

Des McNulty MSP, Deputy Minister for Communities who will be helping out on the day, says: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to see this innovative project. CSV Action Earth is an excellent example of the immense benefits volunteering can bring - for the individuals involved, for their communities, for the environment.

“Everyone in society has some passion, skill or talent than can be used to enrich someone else’s life as well as their own. Volunteers make a huge contribution to building strong communities. I would urge everyone to consider volunteering. Whatever your background and no matter where you live, there are opportunities to get involved. It is a way to help others, help ourselves and can be a lot of fun.”

Sally Cameron, Fundraising & Marketing Director of the Thistle Foundation, says: "The Thistle Foundation's Community Wildlife Garden is proving to be a really important resource for the local Craigmillar community. School children use it to find out more about nature and young mothers from the Books for Babies group use the garden. Some of the disabled people we support to lead an independent life also give their time to help, boosting their confidence from the achievement of looking after the garden."

Last year over 3,000 people took part in CSV Action Earth projects in Scotland, planting more than 1,600 trees, collecting over 2,400 sacks of litter, cleaning up around 2,300 metres of river bed and overall improving 122 acres of land.

The CSV Action Earth campaign runs until 3rd June 2007. To register a project and apply for a £50 grant or get more information on CSV Action Earth, call CSV on Tel: 0121 328 7455 or go to the website www.actionearth.org.uk.

For more information on CSV Action Earth in Scotland contact Robert Henderson on 0131 622 7766 or rhenderson@csv.org.uk. 

Launch information:

What: Launch of environmental campaign CSV Action Earth in Scotland
When: 10.45am, Wednesday 17 January 2007
Where: Thistle Foundation, Tudsbery Centre, Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh

All guests should report to the Main Reception by 10.45am when all visitors and volunteers will be taken through to the Café. Call: 07917 674926 or 0131 661 3366 if any problems on the day

 For further press information:

CSV Action Earth: Robert Henderson on 0131 622 7766 or rhenderson@csv.org.uk  
CSV Press Office: Paul Donohoe/Jason Tanner on 020 7812 1337/1338.
SNH Press Office: Emma Henderson 0131 346 1184 / 07977 134 614.

Notes for Editors

1. Last year over 3,000 people took part in 153 projects across Scotland for CSV Action Earth,  planting 1,661 trees and 18,745 shrubs and flowers as well as building 253 bird and bat boxes, collecting 2,406 sacks of litter and clearing 1,790 metres of pathway. Volunteers also cleaned up 2,303 metres of canal and river beds, built 330 metres of fencing and walling and overall improved 122 acres of land.

2. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Last year 227,000 people gave 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 12,705 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk 

3. SNH is the Scottish Executive’s statutory advisor in respect to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland's natural heritage. For more information visit: www.snh.org.uk 

4. To receive a £50 grant, which covers expenses including materials, projects must: improve the local environment, involve volunteers, or meet a local community need. Examples of projects completed by volunteers last year include: Planting up a wildlife area in a local school; Erecting bird/bat/hedgehog boxes in a nearby wood; Cleaning up a local beach; Clearing and signing local footpaths.