Scotland's Scouts urged to think green

A Grand Green Idea returns with new wildlife category

Former BBC Scotland meteorologist, Heather ‘the weather’ Reid got a taste of the green life as she kicked-off a nationwide search for the best green community idea.

With the help of a buzzy insect and a flower or two, Heather Reid is urging local Scout Groups from the Clyde region to enter A Grand Green Idea, for their chance to win £1,000 of funding to help bring their green initiative to life.

A partnership between WWF Scotland and People’s Postcode Lottery, A Grand Green Idea is challenging community groups, schools, clubs and community councils to come up with an idea that will benefit their local environment. In addition to the previous categories of energy, waste, food and transport, groups will now also have the opportunity to enter ideas related to wildlife. This could range from the planting of wild flowers to assist bees with pollination, to adding/clearing pondweed for a local aquatic ecosystem, or creating an insect habitat.

The competition hopes to convey that little ideas can make a big difference within Scotland’s communities. It was this spirit that saw Hutton Primary School, in Boreland near Lockerbie, win last year’s inaugural competition with their fresh fruit and vegetable production system.

With the help of the £1,000 prize, the busy primary pupils equipped their self-sufficient vegetable production programme to allow for pupil’s families to grow their own produce. Local residents too benefit from the fresh produce grown by the eco pupils, saving them from travelling to the nearest shop, which is over seven miles away.

Commenting on the launch, Heather Reid said:

“It is a real pleasure to be involved once again in such a worthwhile and exciting project. A Grand Green Idea gives communities the perfect opportunity to get together and think about their local surroundings and how they can make it more environmentally friendly.”

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said:

“We are thrilled to be launching year two of A Grand Green Idea. Last year we were bowled over by the number of brilliant entries, which showed how creative Scotland’s communities can be with their environmental ideas. Something tells me we are going to have a difficult time selecting a winning idea again.

“This year we are pleased to introduce our new wildlife category and look forward to some interesting ideas. Once again, we would like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their on-going support for this competition. Our environment is very important and by joining together at every level, including community, we can all help to make a big difference.”

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, added:

“Following the success of last year’s challenge we are pleased to continue our support for A Grand Green Idea. The choices we make impact on the communities we live in and we hope that this year’s competition will inspire groups across Scotland to look at how they can help their local environment. We wish everyone good luck with their green ideas.”

All community groups, schools, clubs and community councils with six members or more can enter the competition. Judging the ideas will be a panel from WWF Scotland and People’s Postcode Lottery, who will be testing entries based on their ability to benefit the wider community, the long term benefit of the project and the ability to involve a wider audience.

To apply for their chance to win, entrants must state their idea in under 500 words before the closing deadline of 13 October 2013. For more information or to enter, visit www.wwfscotland.org.uk/grandgreenidea