News and events Other events March - National Planning Framework 4 Roadshow eventsThe roadshow offers general drop-in sessions, where you can come along to speak to the NPF team as well as facilitated workshops where you can discuss key issues with other stakeholders. 10/11 Mar - Engaging Children & Young People with Nature and the Outdoors, EdinburghAn two day event by the Outdoor Recreation Network that will cover research and best practice to promote children's engagement with nature and the outdoors. 17 + 18 March - Scottish Federation of Housing Association's (SFHA) annual Development Conference, EdinburghThree projects funded by the Social Housing and Green Infrastructure Fund are set to be launched at this year's conference. w/c 23 March – Central Scotland Community Woodlands networking event The event is provisionally planned for South Queensferry in the week beginning the 23rd of March, to be co-hosted by the Community Woodlands Association and The Vat Run. The event will feature presentations from groups and support bodies, a site visit to the Vat Run's mountain bike trails and a free lunch. Support with travel costs is available for community groups. A programme and booking form will be available soon on the CWA website. Email Jon [email protected] to register interest. 20 – 29 March - Climate Week North East, AberdeenshireJoin Aberdeen Climate Action and many other local organisations in the Aberdeenshire area for Climate Week North East 2020, have fun, learn lots and be inspired by local action and projects. Facebook 2 Apr – 2020 Seed Library Launch, GlasgowHosted by Glasgow Community Food Network and CCA Glasgow to encourage growers from across the city to withdraw seeds to grow crops and bring seeds back later in the year. Expect to find short seedy film screenings, seed saving talks and discussions, demonstrations and more. 24 – 27 April - City Nature Challenge Discovery Day, GlasgowJoin in The City Nature Challenge Discovery Day which is part of a global competition to see which city can collect the most biological record over the weekend. All finds will be recorded on INturalist to give Glasgow the chance to win. There will be walks and talks and fun activities inside and outside the Kelvingrove Museum on the day. Wildlife Organisations – TCV are looking for partners to set up stands and/or run activities with the public to search for wildlife such as bird walks, an invertebrate hunt, pond dipping and bird ringing. Please email Sam April & May - Turn the tide on litter and support Spring Clean With your ongoing support, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean in April and May has brought thousands of people together from all sections of society over the past two decades to make a difference to the places that matter to them. This year they are aiming to inspire and support 50,000 to take part in a litter pick. So, why not join in and organise or support an event during one of our 2020 themed weeks of activity? Training The Caley’s Grow and Learn awards Grow and Learn is a flexible, person-centred award, which recognises individual progress and achievement in horticulture. As well as developing horticulture skills, participants set personal goals that help them develop important life skills and specific areas of self-development including, confidence, self-esteem and resilience. The Orchard Project tree pruning workshops: 14 March – Glasgow | 21 March – Glenrothes | 23 March – Edinburgh 21 March – Edinburgh Orchard Health and Importance of Soil 7 March - The Orchard Project Drystone walling for wildlife workshops -Edinburgh 11 March – 20 May – Edinburgh weekly course 24 April - Messy Maths, An Outdoor Playful Approach, Children in Scotland Practical course to explore the rationale behind using outdoor play as a key approach to building the foundations of maths, along with a host of practical ways of making this happen. Summer course Certificate in Practical Horticulture, Glasgow Botanics Applications now open for Summer Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Certificate in Practical Horticulture, Glasgow Botanics Castlebank Horticultural Centre - RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture This qualification is designed for individuals wanting a route to employment in professional horticulture or further development. The theory-based qualification helps learners by assessing their knowledge of the principles which underpin horticultural practices. The course will run from September 2020 to June 2021, with RHS examinations in February and June 2021 Online: 5 March - Reflexive Monitoring and Process Indicators for NBS, UrbanByNatureThis webinar is part of an innovative facilitated capacity-building and expertise-sharing programme to lift the barriers to urban nature and set our cities and towns on a sustainable course Ecosystems Knowledge Network webinars 26 March - An environment for everyone: Multiculturalism and the challenge and joy of engaging every member of society in nature and place Find out why greening our towns and cities and involving everyone is vital for their future success. 2 April - Enhancing urban green infrastructure: launch of the Greenkeeper tool Discover Greenkeeper - a new online tool to support public authorities, developers and managers of urban greenspaces in the UK to make evidence-based planning and investment decisions. Ongoing - The Community Leader Climate Programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful Support is offered to host a training session on the Climate Emergency for community leaders and influencers. Ongoing - Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), The NATURVATION projectCreating an online learning community with a collection of inspiring and educational films about the opportunities, challenges and future of nature-based solutions in an urban world. Saturday gardening sessions - Greenheart Growers at Parkhead Community Gardens Gardening sessions for the benefit of local community in Parkhead and East End of Glasgow. Sessions are every Thursday and every second Saturday (2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month) with workshops aimed at encouraging people to grow food, learn basic skills and provide hands on experience, in an inclusive, community learning environment for the benefit of the local community. Clydesdale Community Initiatives – Get outdoors Lanarkshire events and trainingIncluding therapeutic gardening, community orchard work, environmental volunteering and hospital gardens Email Free community path trainingPaths for All's Active Environments team are offering community organisations the opportunity to receive free training on their doorstep and on a date that suits them by hosting a range of training courses at your choice of location. Training and events for Scottish community groups tackling climate changeIf you are a Scottish community group interested in tackling climate change the free programme of training and events provided by Keep Scotland Beautiful could help support you in your work. Forest School Training programme, Scotland 2019Information about dates, costs and how to book for the current FSTC training courses