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27th December 2003

Scouts across the United Kingdom have declared 2004 'year of the environment.' For the next 52 weeks, the Association's 500,000 Members will be taking part in hundreds of conservation projects to improve both urban and rural locations.

As part of the campaign, TV survival expert and environmental campaigner Ray Mears has challenged Scouts of all ages to make a positive impact on their local communities.

'Our environment is important to us all, irrespective of our background or where we live,' says Ray. 'Scouts Go Green is an initiative to promote an awareness of environmental issues among young people everywhere. This is all about making a difference'.

Working with partners such as the RSPB, Friends of the Earth, The National Trust, Encams and The Wildlife Trusts, The Scout Association has produced the official resource Go Green to provide guidance and expert advice for its young people and their Leaders. The book is also suitable for other youth leaders, as well as teachers helping young people get to grips with environmental issues as part of the national curriculum.

Working together in mixed-age Groups, young people from 6-25 will be clearing footpaths, creating wildlife gardens, managing woodland and helping to preserve endangered coastline. Not only will they be earning themselves the new Environment Group Award, they will be making an invaluable contribution to their local, national and international communities. County Councils are already welcoming the move and many are integrating the campaign into their local environmental strategies.

Further information

The resource contains over 40 pages of project ideas and costs just £4.00 + £1.00 p&p. Call 0845 300 1818 or order online at www.scouts.org.uk