News and events Other events 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. 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: 4 May - Paths for All: Step Count ChallengeThis four-week spring challenge started on Monday 4 May and is designed to keep us connected and moving. Open to workplaces in Scotland, this is a free special edition of the Step Count Challenge to help you through these challenging times. 14 May - Enhancing urban green infrastructure: launch of the Greenkeeper tool, webinar 1-2pm Introduction to a new online tool to support public authorities, developers and managers of urban greenspacs in the UK to make evidence-based planning and investment decisions. TCPA Green Cities webinar series: Green places, successful placesWhy greening the UK's cities, towns and neighbourhoods matters and how to do it successfully. These free introductory webinars will be of particular interest to Councillors and those new to the Green Infrastructure agenda. 21 May – Greenspaces for people and health 27 May – How the natural environment can help combat climate change 4 June – Making places greener – practical tools and insights Free online Open University courses on nature and environment OU offers a range of free course at different levels and time commitment which anyone can do from home. Landscape Institute launch new online learning platform - LI Campus LI Campus represents the future of professional development for landscape professionals – and in recognition of the pressures COVID-19 is placing on the sector, will be free to LI members. Project for Public Spaces, New York – online events and webinarsListen to past and future webinars including “Reimagining and Re-purposing Engagement during COVID 19” in the placemaking webinar series. Social Farms and Gardens #GrowingTogether Whether you are a green fingered gardening guru or trying it out for the very first time, Social Farms and Gardens will be sharing videos, ideas and useful tips to help people grow veg at home during lockdown through the #GrowingTogether campaign. Whether you have a windowsill, garden or access to an allotment – they will be keeping it varied so that there’s something for everyone to try out. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh monthly walkaround online Enjoy on a late winter ‘walkaround’of the Edinburgh Botanics, learning about seasonal plants on the way, as a pilot for a new online short course, 'Getting started with... planting design'. Free login 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