LEAF: a west coast voice for sustainable environmental management

LEAF ( Lorn Environmental Action Forum) casts itself to the thermals of Lorn in its launch on 13th January at 19.30 at Oban Fire Station.

This is a new umbrella organisation encompassing all environmental issues and groups within the Lorn area. Initial member groups range from Sustainable Oban, the local Scottish Wildlife Trust group, through to the Hebridean Partnership, Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, Seil Natural History Group and some of the Fisherman’s Representatives.

The purpose of the forum is to create a voice on the West Coast of Scotland, representing those who support management of the natural environment in ways that favour long-term sustainability on land and sea.

The strength of a larger organisation with many skills and areas of expertise, backed up by scientific evidence, will enable the group to lobby both Local and Scottish Governments effectively.

Until now this voice has not been heard well enough and LEAF’s intention will be to make politicians sit up and listen to this silent majority.

The first official meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th January 2010 at Oban Fire Station starting at 19:30 hrs. There is parking in front of the building and even more at the back.

Organisers are asking people to remain aware that this an operational fire station and therefore to move directly through the front doors to the conference room, which is on the first floor.

This first meeting will be electing officers for the committee, such as Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership Secretary. If you are willing to stand for any of these posts please contact Richard Wesley- beforehand if possible. (Contact details below,)

For the first part of its operation, each time LEAF meets, one group will be giving a talk about itself. Richard Wesley has chosen gthe snort straw for the first sessiosn and will be talking about the work of the 100+ strong Seil Natural History Group, of which he is President.

The Oban Times and For Argyll have been invited to attend.

Further information is available from Richard Wesley:

• by email at: richardwesley@btinternet.com
• by phone at: 01852 300388