Make a Difference Day!
| Published: 28th August 2008 10:50 |
Concern for the large decline in bumble bees that pollinate some of the fruit and vegetables that we eat underpins a drive to protect UK wildlife by CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 25th October 2008.
CSV's flagship campaign is encouraging the public to create gardens in their community, where bumble bees and other endangered species can find the food and shelter they need to survive.
The campaign, which is backed by acclaimed TV gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh(3), is targeted at the green-fingered and those who would like to try something new to help the environment.
Alan says that it's not just bees that need protecting: "If you want to fill your garden with gorgeous vibrant colour, then make sure you put in plants that will attract butterflies and moths".
CSV Make a Difference Day is offering advice and assistance through a series of How-to guides and seed giveaways to help people create suitable habitats and help the environment.
Free wildflower meadow seeds, ideal for planting in October, will be given to the first 300 people who request Alan's ‘How-to Help Nature Fight Back' guide.
CSV Make a Difference Day has also discovered an innovative way to start growing plants by providing a How-to guide on building a recycled greenhouse out of used plastic bottles.
The step-by-step guide includes information on everything that is involved in the construction of the greenhouse, from how to pick the perfect location to the additional materials required.
A free bag of broad bean seeds will be given to the first 100 people who request the greenhouse guide.
People who receive the guide are encouraged to turn barren or disused land at a school, outside work or in a public park into a beautiful area for wildlife to inhabit, at the same time having fun, getting some exercise and making new friends. Independent research shows that nearly half of all volunteers (47%) say volunteering improves physical health and fitness.(4)
Other gardening activities that people can get involved with on CSV Make a Difference Day include mowing someone else's lawn or planting some wildflowers or shrubs for an elderly or disabled neighbour.
Simon Tiller from the CSV Make a Difference Day Campaign said, "Volunteering to help the environment is one of the most popular ways that people can make a difference to their communities. CSV Make a Difference Day has a long track record of bringing together people of all ages to transform their lives and the lives of others".
To register a project with CSV Make a Difference Day please visit www.csv.org.uk/difference or call 0800 284 533. Once this has been done, a free action pack including the how-to guides will be sent out along with certificates, balloons, stickers, T shirts, posters and the free seed give-aways. (Limited number of seeds available)
Fascinating Facts:
- Bees play a vital role in helping plants, fruit and vegetables to grow and reproduce.
- Bees pollinate a third of everything we eat.(5)
- Bees are under threat because the places they like to live are being destroyed.
- Since the 1940's, 97% of butterfly and bee supporting meadows have been destroyed.
- Bumble and Honey bees contribute an estimated £200 million per year to the UK agricultural economy simply through pollinating commercial crops.(6)
- 71% of volunteers who offer their professional skills and experience say volunteering helps combat depression.(7)
- 63% of 25-34 year olds say volunteering helps them feel less stressed. Work related stress costs UK society about £3.7 billion every year.(8)
- Gardening can burn more calories than a step aerobics class.
- 9% of men and 8% of women say that volunteering has improved their sex life! This compares with 17% of volunteers aged 18-24 years old.(9)
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