Kingston Council is on a mission. In trying to reduce the borough’s ecofootprint and drive sustainability it is seeking an enthusiastic pool of volunteers who want to do their bit to help the environment.

The environment and sustainability department is launching the Down to Earth volunteering scheme to bring together five existing ecoprojects working to increase environmental awareness in Kingston.

A volunteer co-ordinator, Lynette Phillips, has been brought on board and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

More than 3,000 hours were contributed by the 72 volunteers during the 2007/8 financial year, and Ms Phillips said their contribution was vital.

She said: "We want to engage and interact with people in Kingston and build up a pool of enthusiastic and committed volunteers.

"Put simply, volunteers are a vital asset. We couldn’t run these environmental projects without them."

Ms Phillips hopes to attract 50 volunteers and is working to provide social events and an award ceremony to reward their involvement.

The existing projects are the Eco-Footprint Working Group, a community steering group that aims to help reduce Kingston’s ecological footprint and influence council decisions, the Hogsmill Action Group, which promotes the preservation of the Hogsmill Valley Walk, and the Community Compost Network, where compost mentors help increase knowledge about reducing waste.

Other projects include the innovative Positive Environment Kingston scheme, where volunteer mentors offer practical support and advice to charities, community groups and small businesses to help reduce their environmental impact, and the Sustainable Gardening Group which helps preserve the borough’s biodiversity.

Ms Phillips said: "We want Kingston to be an environment that is green and sustainable and would really like to hear from people who want to do their bit.

"The planet is not going to heal itself, we have got to help it."

Volunteers are asked to donate a minimum of two hours a week for six months and will be required to attend an informal interview and fill out a short application form.

For more information, or to apply, call Ms Phillips on 020 8547 5929 or email lynette.phillips@rbk.kingston.gov.uk