COP 26 A Video for COP 26, no Blah, blah, blah! By Janet Ullman - Saving Scotland’s Amphibians & Reptiles Education Officer COP 26 is over and the streets of Glasgow are cleared of any trace of it. What remains are video messages from a number of organisations and individuals asking the delegates of COP to listen and to act. Amongst that number of videos on Facebook and YouTube you can find ARC’s video on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation channel. The new ARC project team for Saving Scotland’s amphibians and reptiles project (SSAAR) comprising of myself and Rachael, were asked to do a COP 26 video, as we were close to the action in Scotland. Team Scotland was honoured to be given the opportunity, but how would our message stand out amongst so many? Every day on Facebook another video plea to COP was shared, there was a danger any more would add nothing to what was already out there. I had been working with Plockton High School in Lochalsh, and been impressed by the level of knowledge and understanding the students had of environmental issues facing them. I reasoned that perhaps people wanted to hear from the communities ARC work with, especially from the next generation who will inherit all of the outcomes of COP. I asked the school’s Head of Science if the students would be interested in delivering their message to COP through ARC and here we have to say a big thank you to Mr McGrath and the whole school for supporting the idea.
These Plockton High School Students have a clear message. © Janet Ullman (ARC).
The students came together to decide what they needed to say, they did not hold back. Their message is honest, ‘To massively compress time for action’ and ‘To have genuine concern’. The students’ film has a wee Team Scotland intro and end videos, as ARC is proud to give communities a greater voice. No Blah blah blah! You can view the students video here https://tinyurl.com/plockton-high-COP26 We are very grateful to our funders, the Helvellyn Foundation, The RS MacDonald Charitable Trust and The Bannister Charitable Trust who have made this project possible.
Meet the team: Martine Watkins - Admin & Finance Officer What does a day in the life of an Admin and Finance Officer look like? My day isn’t as exciting as others, but nevertheless it is enjoyable – if you like admin and finance! I am part-time and each day is different depending on the day of the week and how far through the month we are. It always starts with my email mountain, as this can often determine how the rest of the day will go. I deal with invoices from suppliers and to customers, put together quarterly financial claims for ARC projects, book keep with Helen and Angela and deal with monthly staff paperwork. What do you like most about working for a wildlife conservation charity? I love the fact, that in this crazy and materialistic world, I am lucky enough to work for an organisation that is conserving the amazing environment that we live in. Although I’m behind a desk in the office, and not hands on in the field, without the admin and finance team things would quickly grind to a halt. Do you have a favourite reptile or amphibian and what do you love about them? My favourite changes on a weekly basis; at the moment it is the frog. I love the many different colours, sizes and the way they have learnt to adapt to their surroundings, (and the fact they love the slugs eating our 7 veggies)!!
