TO celebrate World Environment Day tomorrow (Friday), West Devon Borough Council will be running an environment grant scheme for projects in West Devon.

The scheme was launched last year, and attracted a high number of good quality projects that were of benefit to the environment and local communities.

Projects supported last year included a Dormouse nest box scheme in Okehampton, which formed part of a larger monitoring programme. With the monitoring undertaken by local volunteers, the population and health of the dormice can be checked, which informs the management of sites to benefit the dormice.

A grant to the Friends of the Forgotten Garden of Lewtrenchard was used to buy safety equipment which enabled volunteers safely to clear and restore the site for local people to access and enjoy the gardens, ponds and waterfalls.

South Tawton and Whitchurch Primary Schools benefited from grants for tools to assist with their wild areas and allotments, which is topical given the growing trend towards growing food locally.

Cllr Robert Sampson, chair of the borough's environment and community committee, said: 'Climate change has an impact on everything, from some of our treasured local species and habitats, to the ability to grow food —therefore, we will especially be looking for projects that address this issue.

Local not-for-profit groups or individuals can apply for grants of up to £300 towards projects benefitting their environment and communities.The projects should be on land that is freely accessible to the public — not on private land for which there is an admission fee — or on school grounds.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their project will have a positive impact on their local environment and that the project is supported by their local community.

The deadline for applications will be September 4, 2009. For more details call Rob Sekula, on 01822 813701 or [email protected]">[email protected]