Hyper-local online community news collaborative The Scottish Beacon - of which the Glenkens Gazette is a member - believes in the power of community-driven solutions and aims to amplify these stories to show that a greener, fairer Scotland is possible – and already taking shape.

In August Dumfries & Galloway Climate Hub will put on 2 free workshops called Letter Writing for Political Engagement, facilitated by author and environmental scientist Sandy Winterbottom who represents paperboats.org, a Scotland-based collective of writers focussed on nature and environment in a time of climate and ecological breakdown.

The second round of the Hub’s Seed Fund is now open to support community climate action in Dumfries & Galloway with grants worth up to £1000.

Volunteers are sought to come and try their hand at tree planting, and can hear more about plans on the site. Tree Planting will be between 11am-3pm on Saturday 15th June, with light lunch provided for those on site at lunchtime!

The Scottish Government has announced a £5.5 million funding package for communities to improve resilience in the face of climate change, with £200,000 allocated to the D&G Climate Hub.

The new D&G Climate Hub has been off to a busy start since its November 2023 launch. This is a Scottish Government funded initiative hosted by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Climate officer Sarah Thomas is covering Wigtownshire and Stewartry supporting community climate action, while Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale is covered by climate officer Steven Clark.

The D&G Climate Hub has two exciting training and mentorship positions available, working with local film-maker and artist John Wallace.