GROUPS working across the Wee County to improve communities through climate and nature friendly activities are being encouraged to join a Scottish network.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling on more groups to join its Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network before registration closes on April 30.

Groups interested in joining, either as a Beautiful Scotland entrant or as an It’s Your Neighbourhood group, are being invited to attend an open online event on Thursday, March 14, to find out about the benefits and hear from the more than 250 organisations already taking part.

Both initiatives are free to take part in and feed into the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) UK-wide Britain in Bloom campaign.

Groups joining will benefit from access to free support and resources while being able to connect with like-minded groups across the country.

Juliette Camburn, senior officer for community initiatives at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our wonderful Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network makes such a positive impact on their own local areas and the country.

“Not only does the work of all our groups make our country a nicer place to visit, live and work, their actions play a huge part in protecting and enhancing biodiversity and in helping to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

“We have such a vast and varied network of groups sharing their work and tips and, whether you have been helping your community be beautiful for years or are just getting started, come and join us.”

Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood are part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network, the charity’s long-standing environmental improvement initiative which encourages community action and is growing a network of people determined to make a positive difference to their local area.

As well as restoring biodiversity in communities, groups will be supported, inspired and motivated to spend more time in nature, promoting good physical and mental wellbeing.

Last year, more than 250 groups registered, including small allotments and city-wide programmes.

Volunteers gave a combined almost 200,000 hours supporting initiatives, equating to an economic value of more than £2million.

Groups who register for It's Your Neighbourhood receive support, mentoring and recognition for their ongoing greening and growing efforts throughout the year.

Beautiful Scotland also has an additional competitive layer, with an annual awards ceremony and the opportunity for the top groups to go forward to the national RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals.

More information is available on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.