Adopt-a-Beach is a coastal marine initiative organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). It encourages local people, groups or whole communities to become involved in caring for their immediate coastline or local beach. MCS aims to achieve a quantifiable reduction in the amount of litter in rivers and seas around the UK, thereby enhancing the quality of our aquatic environments.

If you would like to become involved in Adopt-a-Beach visit www.adoptabeach.org.uk or telephone the Litter Projects Team on 01989 567807

Barclays SiteSavers is a partnership between Barclays Bank, Groundwork, the Wildlife Trusts and BTCV. This programme helps people to get more involved in making decisions about where they live, and to understand the benefits sustainable development can bring. SiteSavers can help people improve the appearance of their streets, parks and estates and encourage them to adopt healthier lifestyles. Successful projects help communities to get to know their neighbours and can reduce crime itself and the fear of crime. For more information on SiteSavers, or to get help and support through the scheme visit www.barclays-sitesavers.org.uk or contact Groundwork by telephoning 0121 236 8565

Backed by a number of partners, Thames21 is an environmental organisation working to improve the quality of the River Thames, its tributaries and canals throughout London. It aims to transform London's waterways into a place where people, wildlife and business can prosper by working together with local businesses, community groups, statutory organisations and residents. Thames21 organises many clean-ups of the Thames, London's rivers and canals.

If you would like to be involved as an individual, a business or an organisation visit www.thames21.org.uk or telephone 0207 248 2916

The Local Heritage Initiative helps communities bring their local heritage alive, by giving funds, advice and support. It is also collecting records and stories from the projects to create a national archive of England's local heritage. If you wish to investigate, explain or care for your local landscape, landmarks, traditions and culture you can apply for a grant of between £3,000 and £25,000. The scheme is administered by the Countryside Agency with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Nationwide Building Society. The £10m initiative currently covers England but similar schemes will soon be developed for communities in Scotland, Wales and possibly Northern Ireland. visit www.lhi.org.uk for more information on grants or support, or telephone 01242 521381

CPRE is an organisation that campaigns to protect and enhance the countryside for the benefit of everyone. As well as highlighting problems and threats to the countryside, it carries out research, canvasses opinion and advocates solutions. CPRE seeks to influence policy makers and opinion formers at every level and often works in partnership with other local and national bodies. A number of publications are available to order or you can join in one of the campaigns.

For more information visit www.cpre.org.uk or telephone 020 7981 2800