Make a pledge for the planet

Could you plant a bee and insect-friendly garden? Harness power from nature? Reduce your use of plastics?

There are so many ways to live a greener lifestyle – and people living in and around the Peak District National Park can learn more in a special event on Saturday 13th July (10am to 4pm).

The Pledge, Protect, Connect event is hosted by the Peak District National Park Authority at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow. Celebrating 2019 as the Year of Green Action (YoGA), it will bring together community groups who are already making a difference and those looking for inspiration. The event is open to everyone and is free to attend.

Peak District National Park youth development officer, Carina Humberstone, said: “We’d love people of all generations to come together at this event, to inspire and to be inspired. 

“At the end of the event, we’d like people to make a pledge to do something positive for their environment as part of the Year of Green Action.

“We can support and help communities to make their ideas a reality and to get their projects up and running through our community small grants and engagement opportunities. We would like to celebrate all community action that encourages people to connect to and protect the local environment.”

Neil Cutts from Surfers Against Sewage (Central England) will be speaking about how they are creating a Plastic Free Community network through Plastic Free Anglesey, to free where they live from single-use plastic, from the beach all the way back to the brands and businesses who create it. Neil will also be showcasing the great work being done in the Midlands and introducing their new initiative, Plastic Free Schools.

Mike Joseph who, with other dads and schoolchildren, masterminded hydroelectric-powered Christmas lights in Bradwell, will be talking about this project at the event.

And other communities involved in green projects are invited to give talks and demonstrations or to host a stall. 

The Year of Green Action (YoGA) is about connecting people all around the country with nature and showing how everyone can take positive action to improve our environment 

YoGA is a year-long drive to help people get involved in projects that support nature – in their own gardens, schools or workplaces and as consumers. 

Staff and volunteers at the Peak District National Park Authority are highlighting their own green credentials by taking part in a series of events throughout the year. Recently they staged a lunchtime litter pick in the grounds of Aldern House in Bakewell.

Meanwhile, 14 staff and 14 volunteers have signed up to work towards John Muir Awards as part of the Year of Green Action. The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places.

To find out more about the event, please contact Adele.Metcalfe@peakdistrict.gov.uk or Carina.Humberstone@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Both can be contacted through the main switchboard 01629 816200

To learn more about the Year of Green Action, please visit: https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/projects-and-partnerships/year-of-green-action-2019