WCVA is inviting nominations for Wales Volunteer of the year Awards 2017 at http://www.wcva.org.uk/what-we-do/celebrating-the-sector/wales-volunteer-of-the-year-awards?src=newsletter. The categories include ‘green’ volunteer and nominations close on 21 April.

This is the link to the current Funding Update on the Natural Resources Wales website:
https://naturalresources.wales/media/680993/march-2017-nrw-english-final.pdf

NRW is currently reviewing its funding strategy for external partners. A webinar is planned for 29 March at 11:30 – 12:30 to introduce the new developing approach and to take feedback and comments from partners.

If you wish to attend the webinar please send your e-mail address to external.funding@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Applications are now open for the Sustainable Development Fund in the Brecon Beacons National Park.  Projects should be designed to achieve a more sustainable way of living, especially projects relating to green energy, promoting rural economic development, heritage. communities or health and wellbeing. For more details about SDF and how to apply please visit: http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/substainable-development-fund/ or contact the SDF Project Officers helen.roderick@beacons-npa.gov.uk or ceri.bevan@beacons-npa.gov.uk  Telephone: 01874 624437.  For the main grants programme, application deadlines for 2017 are 21st June, 30th August and 8th November. Applications for grants under £2000 can be accepted at any time.

An opportunity to join the Welsh Perry & Cider Society has arisen, working as a part-time Heritage Project Assistant (fixed term contract to March 2018) on their Heritage Lottery Funded Project, looking into the Heritage of Orchards and Cider making in Wales. This is a varied and unique job combining admin tasks, working with community groups, researching and field work (Literally!).  Contact them at: info@welshcider.co.uk

Join Environet for these free informative and participatory events, packed full of workshops and presentations, that will bring together funders, specialist support bodies, community groups, the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner – and YOU!  Cardiff event 23 March.

Visit http://www.wcva.org.uk/about-us/news/2017/02/environet-capacity-building-events?seq.lang=en-GB for more details.

We have just become aware of the draft Strategic Plan of our Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe.  It’s not deadlined but you can read it and comment on it at https://futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Draft-Strategic-Plan-ENG-1.pdf.  Like her search-resistant web site, https://futuregenerations.wales, it’s worth a read.

Monmouthshire County Council has been granted a repayable £4.5m investment from the Welsh Government’s Save Green Growth Fund to build a solar farm at Crick large enough to power around 1,400 homes.  The Oak Farm project will earn a net income for the council and help the farm and support local community projects.

Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 places a duty on public authorities to seek functions. In doing so, public authorities must seek to promote the resilience of ecosystems. The County Council has therefore prepared a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience forward plan – https://democracy.monmouthshire.gov.uk/documents/s8227/Biodiversity%20and%20Ecosystem%20Resilience%20Forward%20Plan.pdf – in order to meet this duty and to provide support for delivery of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Objectives have been developed which cover key areas of the Council’s work. They include proposals to adequately consider biodiversity and ecosystem
resilience in decision making at all levels, environmental education and awareness raising, management of land for biodiversity and partnership working at a landscape scale to maximise benefits.

Over 100 protesters showed their opposition at the start of the M4 Relief Road Inquiry on Tuesday. The Inspector indicated that he’d still be willing to hear more witnesses. For the chance to have your say, then please get in touch with Inquiry Programme Officer, Joanna Vincent, as soon as possible. Contact her at joannavincent@personaassociates.co.uk / 07483 133975.

An underground tunnel is one of 22 alternative plans submitted to the inquiry, and a Welsh Government witness is reported to have said that more than 100 options had been assessed and consulted upon. The inquiry could last for five or six months.

Transport for Wales is a not-for-profit company set up by the Welsh Government to run the procurement for the next Wales and Borders Rail Service that includes the South Wales Metro.  They are consulting on the Wales and Borders Rail Service on behalf of the Welsh Government and an online consultation has just opened – https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/transport-wales-design-wales-and-borders-rail-service-including-metro.  Respond by 23 May.