Community Initiatives
Young People's Art Project
Scottish Natural Heritage wishes to engage young people in understanding and appreciating Scotland's native woodland and marine environments through the use of arts activities which appeal to them.
The Young People's Art Project works with young people aged 12 to 16 from both urban and rural backgrounds who would not normally have access to natural environments. Its aim is not only to engage young people with the Scottish natural environment, but also to enable them to work with an artist and use new media to create work as an individual and as part of a group.
Film, animation, computer technology, digital photography and sampled sound are some of the media used in the project.
To view some of the work which has been done as part of the Young People's Art Project, visit the following website:
If you would like to know more about the project, please contact SNH Awareness & Involvement Unit.
This project was developed initially by Scottish Natural Heritage, and is supported by a grant from the Scottish Arts Council lottery funds. Millennium Forest for Scotland and the Forestry Commission partnered the project in its first year (2000).
Garden for Life Project
A major partnership project, ‘Garden for Life’ will use gardens of all kinds to help people understand the importance of biodiversity. Building on the SNH 'Plant for Wildlife’ campaign, the project will show how any garden can be a place full of opportunities to benefit biodiversity and garden users alike. The project was launched during 2001 and is planned to run for 3 years.
Community Gardens - places for people and wildlife
As part of this project, SNH have developed a pack which can be used
by anyone who is planning or working on a community garden. It is full
of information and advice to help you turn your ideas into reality. Together
with a video, this handbook describes the experiences of people involved
in seven very different community gardening projects. Their stories form
the basis for the advice and guidance used in this pack.
If you would like to borrow a copy of the Community Gardens pack, please contact Awareness & Involvement Unit.
For more information on the Garden for Life project, please contact Adrian Fenn, SNH Battleby, Tel 01738 444177 or email adrian.fenn@snh.gov.uk
Tools for Change
A Practical Guide to Community Indicators of Sustainability
Produced 1998 by Scottish Natural Heritage with support from Forward Scotland
Tools for Change is the first comprehensive guide to starting up and supporting community-based indicator work. Intended to provide community leaders, activists, facilitators and organisations with guidance on working with communities, this manual has been written in a user-friendly style which gives advice in a practical, step-by-step way.
Tools for Change has been divided into three parts, each of which may be used on its own or in conjunction with the rest of the pack as a practical tool or reference:
Part One sets the scene by giving Background Information about both sustainability and indicators, and their importance in working with communities.
Part Two, A Handbook for Facilitators, is a tool for the practical fieldwork of facilitators and community groups. Key stages in establishing community indicators and examples from communities and organisations who have already started this kind of work are included in this section.
Part Three, A Guide to Training Facilitators, provides background information about the skills and qualities required of facilitators, and a step-by-step approach to running a training course. Also included in this section are 20 practical exercises to use while developing the skills of facilitators.
Tools for Change is priced at £15 for individuals and communities and at £25 for agencies. To order your own copy of this invaluable resource please contact Awareness & Involvement Unit.