The Wildlife Trusts partnership is the UK’s leading conservation charity exclusively dedicated to wildlife. Their network of 47 local Wildlife Trusts, alongside a junior branch, Wildlife Watch, work together to protect wildlife in the countryside. The Wildlife Trusts care for over 2,560 nature reserves, from rugged coastline, to rural wildlife havens. With more than 413,000 members, they lobby for better protection of the UK's natural heritage and are dedicated to protecting wildlife for the benefit of future generations. A wide range of publications are available to order or you can volunteer to practically secure the future of precious habitats and species, enabling them to thrive again.

For further information visit www.wildlifetrusts.org or telephone 0870 0367711

The People's Places award scheme is run by BTCV, and is open to community groups in rural and urban areas across England. Awards are targeted at communities living in areas of deprivation and at disadvantaged groups. It offers groups a chance to make a difference to their community by creating or improving a "people's place". This could be an area of land that could be turned into a community garden or park, or a building that the group wants to turn into an environmental community resource. Awards of £3,000 to £10,000 are available and guidance and eligibility notes are provided on the website.

For more information visit www.btcv.org/ppawards/intro.html or telephone the People’s Places Award Unit on 01491 821621.

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/index.html for more information on grants or support, or telephone 01242 521381

Launched by the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit of the Home Office, the TOGETHER campaign aims to get tough on anti-social behaviour such as abandoned vehicles. An ActionLine is available every weekday on 0870 220 2000, to provide information, and to discuss solutions and best practice to help practitioners tackle anti-social behaviour throughout England and Wales.

For further information visit www.together.gov.uk

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 adapt 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 8586