Nominee Summary
Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT) was established as a charity in 2014 to work in partnership with communities, public agencies, third sector and private organisations to design and implement project that make a difference to people and landscapes. Our projects cover three themes - climate change, habitat restoration, and outdoor learning, health and wellbeing. We focus on the many shared priorities within these themes and build on them in the delivery of all that we do. Climate change has become an increasingly important part of our work over recent years, both at grassroots and strategic levels.
Reduction of carbon footprint
ACT approaches reduction in our carbon footprint in a range of ways. We have recently been awarded Gold Carbon Literate Organisation status. We're one of only a small number of UK organisations to have achieved this status. We are a certified carbon literacy trainer and have created and delivered an Argyll-specific programme for over 180 residents including school pupils community members, Councillors, chief executives and businesses. Over 50% of our team are carbon literacy trained. Attached case study with Cardross Primary who we worked with to achieve one of the first whole school carbon literacy awards. We have also worked with the Gaelic speakers to produce a Gaelic Routemap for carbon literacy https://adaptation.scot/our-work/community-climate-adaptation-routemap-now-in-gaelic/ reCycle is ACTs community bike scheme established in 2021. reCycle takes donated bicycles, reconditions it to a safe and functioning standard and then offers it free to Argyll and Bute residents. The aim of the scheme is to encourage people to cycle on everyday journeys and to save bikes from landfill. Over 300 bikes have been gifted to date. We also provide the only e-bike maintenance service in Mid-Argyll. ACT is one of three collaborating organisations forming Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) which employs engagement officers who facilitate climate conversations, provide seed funding for climate mitigation, and have hosted host regional forums focusing on housing, food and energy. As ACTs own approach to corporate carbon, we monitor travel, and transport, procurement, utilities, and office practices regularly and encourage project partners to undertake the same.
Overcoming challenges
Argyll and Bute faces significant rural and geographical challenges. These include access to services, transport links (noteably the Rest and Be Thankful trunk road access, and ferry services to our 23 inhabited islands). Food inequality in our area is widespread - largely stemming from transport challenges - resulting in higher costs, reduced choice and sometimes lack of availability. We are working with communities to address this, through ABCAN's food growing community sessions (4 across the region in the past 6 months), climate conversations, seedcorn funding for local climate projects, and partnership development of the Growing Argyll project. which will see more food produced and sold within the region, so reducing our transport dependance. Climate change is closely linked to the challenges we face in habitat restoration activities. We integrate our approach to these projects both through rainforest and peatland carbon capture, and also by addressing the damagingly high deer numbers in rainforest. Our plans for a community deer larder, and creating a local processing and distribution service for Argyll sources rainforest venison start to address this. We are challenged by lack of resources as an organisation - short term funds and last minute grant fund availability challenge sustainability and continuity. We overcome this by working hard to turn applications around, providing consistently high standard and reliable project delivery, and with the goodwill and commitment of our team. This has allowed us to provide a continuous service to our communities which is helping to build confidence and raise their aspirations.
