Highland Environmental Network is a voluntary group which has been active in the Highlands since 1991. HEN aims to promote environmental education in all sectors of the Highland community; help people share environmental information and expertise; and encourage the involvement of individuals and community groups in environmental debate and action.

To see our constitution, minutes from meetings etc, please visit the downloads page.

The Highland Environmental Network management committee meets regularly to oversee the functioning of the network. The committee is split into a number of working groups to oversee each of the key activities. The organisations currently represented on the Management Group include: The Highland Council, BTCV Scotland, Aigas Field Centre, Abriachan Forest Trust, Glachbeg Croft Education Centre, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and other interested parties (individuals and groups).

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICER

Lara McDonald is the HEN Development Project Officer. She is contracted by the committee to develop the organisation and run events such as the annual conference.

Activities

PROJECTS

Highland Environmental Network has been involved in a range of projects, including community and schools project WHAM – Highland Waste Minimisation (now finished), "Schools Out!" fieldwork project (resources available on the HEN website) and current pilot project "Plot to Pot" to help schools grow their own fruit and vegetables.

NEWSLETTER "An Arainneachd"

This is issued three or four times a year and contains information on Highland environmental organisations, events and grants, as well as school and community news.

--> Visit the downloads page for the latest newsletter
--> Sign up to receive regular news
 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

This is built around topical environmental themes and allows members the opportunity of 'face-to face' networking as well as hearing keynote speakers and participating in interactive workshops. In recent years a wide range of themes have been covered such as:

“Grounds for Action” in 2006, a hands-on practical day that focused on school grounds and community gardens.

“Energise your Community” in 2005, which covered community-owned renewable energy projects.

“How to be a Healthy Community” in 2004, which was about how to help sustain and develop the health of communities - environmentally, physically and economically.

--> Visit the HEN Conference page for more information on this year's Conference.

NETWORKING EVENTS

These are organised as needs are identified. Examples of HEN networking events include a workshop in partnership with waste SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) to create a Highland-wide Waste Awareness Plan, and a School Grounds networking day, which provided an opportunity to show case the activities of Highland practitioners who can help schools improve their school grounds. In 2005, a network for educators to get together informally to swap ideas and discuss common issues was created.

Become a HEN Member

Membership of the network is free so why not join today and enjoy all the benefits.

Regular newsletter and email updates on funding, events, training and projects.

Early notice of HEN conferences, networking and training events.

Opportunity to have your say in how the network develops in the future.

-->Join the Network