The Warmer Chale Campaign

Sustainable Schools

A RIVER WARDEN scheme was launched in 2007, with volunteers acting as ambassadors for the River Medina.

Following the success of the IW Pond Warden Scheme, which started several years ago, the group has been launched as part of the IW Council’s Medina Riverside Park project.

The Wardens’ role includes monitoring the river and nature conservation, they also help by informing and educating others. Their role includes helping with guided walks, working with schools, raising awareness about the environment and liaising with river user groups. Some 15 Wardens have been trained. Anyone interested in taking part can contact the Footprint Trust on 822282, or email info@footprint-trust.co.uk

Cemetery Wardens

God’s acres to be saved… How many people reading this have enjoyed a contemplative walk around a burial ground?

Church graveyards and municipal cemeteries are a window into the past. They are often one of the last remaining habitats of rare wildflowers including orchids. An array of bird, bat and insect life can be found. Butterflies are known to benefit from the ivy and long meadow grasses. Venerable majestic trees such as oak and yew and beech can be seen. Add to the array of native wildlife the social and local history that can be gleaned from the headstones it is no wonder that many people are fascinated by these places. A place of death and remembrance and a space for heritage and wildlife.

The Footprint Trust launched its Cemetery Warden scheme on Friday 13th November at All Saints Churchyard in Freshwater, Isle of Wight. The project, which covers the whole island, has been made possible thanks to support from Heritage Lottery funded West Wight Landscape Partnership.

Those wishing to train and become Cemetery Wardens will have an interest in nature conservation, the landscape, heritage and the community – as this scheme intends to seek to bring together these diverse concerns.

Cemetery Wardens will act as ambassadors for burial grounds, seeking to inform, educate and involve the local community and working with the owners of the site. They will work with other interested individuals and groups to assist in looking after the local burial ground. Information will be given on obtain funding and the Trust will give ongoing support to the trained wardens. This scheme covers all burial grounds, including municipal cemeteries and churchyards, subject to the owner’s permission.

The scheme welcomes people of all faiths, or none, to take part in this on going project. All those completing this free training course will be volunteers of the Footprint Trust and insured by them. The scheme will work with other groups that have an interest in ecology, heritage and conservation.

If you have an interest in burial grounds please contact the Footprint Trust for more details or find the leaflet in your local library. You can print our Cemetery Warden application form here. [PDF]   info@footprint-trust.co.uk Tel; 01983 82-22-82.

Green Gym

The IW Green Gym is an independent local conservation group, before it became independant it was run by the Footprint Trust and BTCV. As well as undertaking the weekly tasks the volunteers carry out the management of the group which includes liasing with land-owners and site managers.  The aim is to encourage people from across the Island, regardless of gender, race or religion, to promote fitness through conservation work.  There is a comprehensive programme covering all areas of the Island, and they actively encourage car sharing between participants.  Tasks vary from pond clearing and butterfly habitat management to felling trees and helping school children make bird boxes. [ More... ]

Consultation

The Footprint Trust offers its expert opinion on a number of issues. The Trust carries out work on behalf of environmental consultancies based on the mainland. We project manage practical conservation schemes on the Island. We can lead training events on environmental play, staff motivation schemes linked to greening businesses, organise community events or can set up an Adopt-A-Garden scheme in your community. If you have an idea or a project please do get in touch.

Former programmes run by the Footprint Trust...

GreenLife

The fundamental aim of GreenLife was to promote sustainable living. It was launched in April 2003 and ended in December 2006, having reached over 13% of islanders. This was done by promoting  the three 'R's (refuse, reuse and recycle) and encouraging better use of resources, by conserving energy and water. This project was funded by the EU Leader+ programme. It worked with the wide community through schools, community groups - such as churches, village meetings, fates and so on.  One of the more popular ways of getting the Island population to be more energy efficient is to give away energy saving light bulbs and water saving devices (known as 'boghogs').  Needless to say that when we attend public or private functions, the fact that we give away these items for free makes us very popular!

Another aspect of this project is our work in school where we involve pupils in carrying out an Eco Audit of their school. This in linked to our schools roadshow which focuses on resources.

we encourage schools to get involved in the international ecoschools initiative.

We also offer free environmental audits of community buildings, with the aim of reducing their bills.

 

Business Waste

The Isle of Wight Council is taking a lead on reducing commercial waste and has started work, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, to produce a Business Waste Strategy. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and to improve business profitability. This project will also take the opportunity to advise on the more efficient use of materials, water and energy, as well as waste minimisation.

The first piece of work is a detailed survey to identify the volumes and types of commercial waste generated on the Island. This work was carried out by the Footprint Trust in 2007, in co-operation with major waste companies on the Island.

A wide range of commercial organisations were asked to complete a survey form showing what, and how much, they throw away.

Eco-wise Training - Skills in Managing Resources & Reducing Costs…

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Footprint Trust ~  The Riverside Centre ~ The Quay ~ Newport ~ Isle of Wight ~ PO30 2QR

Registered Company Number 0458 7815.  Registered Charity Number 1106024

telephone / fax: 01983 822282