June Breathing Places Newsie
June 2008
bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
It's Springwatch time again. This year's programme is live from Pensthorpe in Norfolk. Tune in to see all of the action with Bill, Kate and Simon on BBC Two at 8pm until 12th June. We've also got loads happening this month - read all about it here, and get involved!
Do One Thing - Conserve water for the summer months ahead
A staggering 100,000 litres of rainwater fall on the roof of each home every year. Nearly all of this goes straight down the drain. To catch rain water, you can buy a water butt from most garden centres or DIY stores and it's easy to fit one to the downpipe from your guttering. Next time there's a hosepipe ban and not a cloud in the sky, your garden will thank you for a soaking. Visit the website for more tips on how to conserve water.
SWAT - coming to a site near you
Over one weekend, 7th & 8th June, Springwatch Action Teams (SWAT) volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to help transform 50 outdoor spaces into Breathing Places for people to enjoy and wildlife to thrive in. SWAT projects taking place all around the UK. To find out about SWAT activity in your area tune into local radio stations, visit the website or call freephone 08000 566 424.
Partner of the month
Since Derry became the Breathing Places City for Northern Ireland in 2007, one organisation has championed the Breathing Places message across Northern Ireland with energy, vision and commitment - Conservation Volunteers in Northern Ireland (CVNI).
Project leaders Jack Chestnut, Ivan Black, Martin Lawson and Neville Walker have not only transformed schools, communities and playgrounds into havens for wildlife and people to enjoy but they've involved lots of people by listening to their ideas, teaching new skills and inspiring them to make a real difference. Recently, the Glen Road community in Derry asked for Ivan's help to reinvigorate neglected and litter strewn areas of the estate. With local teenagers taking the lead, an Environment Initiative was born and three gardens have been created.
Now for Springwatch 2008 CVNI are gearing up to transform five unloved sites in Northern Ireland as part of SWAT - Castledawson, Omagh, Crumlin and two in Derry. Check out the details and see the grand designs on our website. We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone at CVNI - you inspire us!
Summer Festivals
Eight Breathing Places cities are celebrating their fantastic year of action in a summer festival. Why not go along and discover how you can help nature in your patch, get involved with some local conservation groups and join in on a variety of family wildlife activities. The festivals are on the weekend of the 7th & 8th June. Go to the website to see where the festivals are happening, or to find other events in your area.
Look out for the minibeasts
Breathing Places Schools second Do One Thing activity is now live on the website, and it's all about minibeasts. Schools are still able to sign up for these free resources on the website.
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