Devon charity, Devon Community Foundation is challenging community and voluntary groups across East Devon and the county to demonstrate the steps they are taking to tackle climate change on a daily basis - and win �5,000 in prize money for their group.

Devon charity, Devon Community Foundation is challenging community and voluntary groups across East Devon and the county to demonstrate the steps they are taking to tackle climate change on a daily basis - and win �5,000 in prize money for their group.The Small Green Steps Award is the brainchild of Foundation trustee, Michael Gee, who is offering the prize money. He believes that even small community and voluntary groups can make a valuable contribution when it comes to tackling climate change.Judges for the competition include Kylie Russell, the Principal Climate Change and Energy Officer for the Environment Agency, Ian Hutchcroft, South West Regional Manager of the Energy Saving Trust and Ian Mercer, CBE, a well known local environmentalist.Michael comments, "Very simple measures like switching to low energy light bulbs, turning your thermostat down, cycling to work and recycling waste can all add up to make a huge difference. "We think community groups are well structured to implement some of these small but vital changes - and to perhaps act as an inspiration to larger organisations in the process!".Competition entry is simple, with groups being asked to provide brief information on the small green steps they've taken in the areas of saving energy, travelling wisely, saving resources and educating the local community about climate change issues. "A bit of imagination, just twenty minutes in sending a note about it, and the �5,000 prize could by yours' said Michael Gee.Kylie Russell explains, "We hope that The Small Green Steps award will demonstrate that even groups with limited resources and incomes can play a valuable role in tackling climate change by making small but important changes."Even something like keeping radiators clear or installing a water-saving bag on the toilet cistern, which saves up to three litres of water every time you flush, can make a difference. Similarly, steps like using both sides of paper could help to reduce the 11 million tonnes of paper and board consumed in the UK every year.""We're looking for basic small steps which even the smallest of community groups can implement in some way."Groups who would like to enter can visit www.everyactioncounts.org.uk to find out the sort of Green Steps which Devon Community Foundation want to hear about.Michael Gee, Trustee of Devon Community Foundation adds, "The competition sums up the whole ethos of the Foundation - small steps being taken by Devon's volunteers can make a big difference, not only to the environment but to the lives of local people and local communities."Entry forms for the Small Green Steps award can be downloaded from www.devoncf.com or speak to Karen on 01884 235887 for more information. Closing date for entries is 20th March 2009.