Unfortunately, I was unable to make yesterday’s launch (hence my absence from the photo), but here’s the Press Release:
New local charity ACT (Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust) launched on Monday (April 28th) with a strong and positive vision – to maintain, enhance and promote the coast and countryside of Argyll so it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.
This new initiative is a partnership between Argyll and Bute Council, the Forestry Commission, NHS Highland and Scottish Natural Heritage and will be active in a variety of projects running across the area.
ACT will focus on initiatives which improve opportunities in the access, biodiversity, health and wellbeing, economic growth, heritage and environmental tourism sectors. The new charity will provide opportunities to support existing initiatives and projects and will be actively encouraging the people of Argyll and existing groups to get involved.
Following a successful funding bid of £10,000 for the launch project, ACT’s new website has gone live and takes an active and inclusive approach towards making Argyll a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
ACT Chairman, Ian Hepburn said ‘’Many groups and individuals in Argyll have a strong commitment to our environment and natural resources and wish to maximise the opportunities for developing them fully, which will have economic, health and environmental benefits for us all. We’ve known about all of the positive things happening in the community for a long time but often it’s difficult for people to get involved because they don’t know where to go or who to ask for more information. It’s the people who live in Argyll and the Isles who have the best ideas on how to enhance the area and we are hoping to attract members who will be able to represent all of the communities and projects across Argyll and the Isles.
‘’ACT will be serving the community as an information hub and a platform for local people to get involved, suggest projects that will help to improve our communities and to find out about recent or upcoming changes. We encourage people to sign up through our website for ACT membership.’
ACT has already established partnerships with Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative, the Kintyre Way and the neighbouring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust and has a number of other projects under development. ACT will be working with these organisations to develop ideas and exchange information.
You are encouraged to get involved via the website at www.act-now.org.uk – there are a range of options to join ACT as a member, friend, facebook follower or business supporter. Members will have the opportunity to suggest projects and join the Board, as well as receiving regular updates.
It’s also why we’re offering you £100 to also act positively in our environments by doing things that help people enjoy the wonderful scenery, nature and pursuits that our neck of the woods has to offer. If it’s something you are doing already or something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the funds, we can help.
