Garden For Life Forum

Mission statement

Garden for Life is a partnership of organisations working in Scotland. Its key aims are:

• To increase enjoyment and understanding of biodiversity
• To support action by gardeners for the benefit of Scotland's biodiversity.
• To promote the benefits of gardening for health and well being

Terms of Reference

We believe we can achieve these aims by:

• Promoting sustainable gardening as a way of increasing people's enjoyment and understanding of biodiversity and our wildlife.
• Encouraging and enabling more people to garden with sustainability and wildlife in mind
• Supporting the environmental and health benefits of people growing their own food
• Encouraging research which can inform and support public policy at all levels, for the benefit of biodiversity and public health in Scotland
• Sharing good practice between the member organisations of Garden for Life, so that we can work together to achieve our aims in the most effective and efficient ways

The Forum

The organisations listed under related links are currently members of the Garden for Life Forum. The Forum meets regularly to discuss and decide on activities and consider ways of supporting the programme.

What does the Forum do?

Organisations belonging to the Forum meet on a regular basis to agree plans and strategies, share information and to work together on projects. They have produced a series of seven free Garden for Life leaflets which are distributed to the public both through garden centre plant promotions, as well as at shows, schools, community events etc. They are also available to download:

• Garden for Life
• Garden for butterflies
• Garden for birds
• Garden for life in pots and containers
• Garden for food 
• Garden without peat
• Garden for Orchards 

What else is Garden for Life doing?

Gardening Scotland, Ingliston 3-5 June 2011. Garden for Life was  present on the Living Garden stand. This year's display garden was based on The Wonder of Community Gardening - Alice in Wonderland. There were also three workshops each day on plants, red squirrels and volunteer recording. There was also a Teapot competition for schools to create a garden in a teapot. This was supported by Eco Schools who promoted the competition on their website. There were ten tea pots submitted all of a high standard. The judges commented that a lot of effort, imagination and in the winner evidence of the childrens' involvement.The 1st prize went to Polbeth Nursery School Polbeth, 2nd prize Cowgate under 5's  Edinburgh and 3rd prize to Busy Bee Nursery school Newport -on -Tay.

Other Activities

Engaging with Industry 2011

The Forum held an interesting and productive meeting with the horticultural industry at Victoria Quay in August  and discussed shared issues relating to gardening and sustainability. A report on the meeting will be available in the near future.

Garden for Life has links with the BBC television programme The Beechgrove Garden.This year another Community Gardens project will be featured as well as the factsheets sent out after each programme. This year the community garden worked with young people on a project in Glasgow called YPeople to raise awareness of gardening for the benefit of wildlife,health and well being by growing your own vegtables. The programme was transmitted on the 8th August. 

Beautiful Scotland - Annual Seminar & It's Your Neighbourhood Awards Presentation

Held at the Albert Halls Stirling on the 1st November.Through Scottish Natural Heritage the Garden for Life forum was represented with a stand and display material as well as a presentation on Environmental Responsibility & Biodiversity.

The SNH Biodiversity Award  for 2011 was presented by an SNH Local Advisor to the winners, Brig in Bloom - Bridge of Earn. The aim of the award is to raise awareness to community groups the benefits of gardening for wildlife.

Peat and Sustainability Seminar RBGE November 2010

Garden for Life has been promoting peat awareness for some time and encouraging gardeners, recreational and commercial, to reduce /avoid the use of peat and to use alternatives

At a strategic level it is hoped that these initiatives will contribute significantly to the implementation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

For further information or advice on Garden for Life please contact Matilda Scharsach +44 (0) 1786 448913. email matilda.scharsach@plantlife.plantlife.org.uk

 To obtain leaflets please contact Pam Moncur at Scottish Natural Heritage on 01738 444177.

Garden for Life - and grow closer to nature!