Earth Hour
Information on Earth Hour and related activities in South Ayrshire.
Earth Hour 2023
Hundreds of millions of people around the planet take part in WWF's Earth Hour every year and South Ayrshire Council is very proud to be part of this global event, which now takes place in 154 countries across all 7 continents.
The 60 minutes of darkness demonstrates support for people and wildlife threatened by the climate and ecological crisis. Those least responsible for the crisis are experiencing its worst effects and by switching off we show that we are willing to make a choice to do our fair share and fight for our planet.
This year Earth Hour will take place at 8.30pm local time on Saturday 25th March 2023.
The Council will join in by turning off the lights of some of our public buildings, monuments and statues such as the Wallace Tower, Stumpy Tower, Burns Statue and Auld Brig.
We are Earth Hour Scotland Events Champions
We now have a record four Local Authority Champion awards and two runner-up awards to our name, to recognise our amazing Earth Hour activities across South Ayrshire. We were also WWF's Earth Hour Scotland Events Champion in 2019.
The success of our previous campaigns is down to the phenomenal support we receive from the public, local businesses and South Ayrshire Council employees.
Creative ways to get involved!
Steeply rising energy bills and the climate emergency crisis we are facing mean that there has never been a better time to engage with Earth Hour and the big switch off campaign.
Whether you are sharing inspiring stories and practical tips around climate action on social media, turning your garden into a wildlife haven, reducing your food mileage or swapping your car for your bike, there has never been a better time to take-action for nature.
For inspiration on what you can do visit the WWF website.
Email the Ranger Service Ranger.Service@south-ayrshire.gov.uk to let us know of your creative Earth Hour ideas and plans.
Earth Hour Events
We are planning a series of events to involve communities and our staff in Earth Hour. All the activities listed below are FREE of charge. Details of these events will be posted on social media channels. Keep an eye on @SouthAyrshireRangerService on FB for more information.
Events include:
- March 25th from 10am till 2.30pm: Green Health Day at Dailly
10-10.30: Meet at Dailly Community Hall, introduction to the Green Health App & Earth Hour
10.30-12.00: Ramble with South Ayrshire Ranger Service. Join us on a ramble around one of Dailly's beautiful countryside trails, practice your identification skills as we go!
11.00 -12.00: Think Global Love Local play session by Undersky at the Millenium Park. Bookings @ www.undersky.co.uk
12.00 - 12.30: Refreshments at Dailly Community Hall
13.00 - 14.30: Wee Wild Walk with Undersky, starting at Millenium Park and into the Dalquarran Estate. Bookings @ www.undersky.co.uk
- March 25th from 11am until 2.30pm - Green Health Family Fun Day in Girvan
Come and join us for cycle rides, bushcraft, walking groups, kiting activities, family fun, facepainting, music and much more at the Quay Zone, Girvan.
- March 25th: Sustainable Stories - Stolen by Fairies
Ayr Carnegie Library, 12 Main Street, Ayr KA8 8EB Tel 01292 286385
Saturday 25th March,11:00 - 12 noon
Troon Library, South Beach, Troon KA10 6EF Tel 01292 315352
Saturday 25th March, 14:00 - 15:00
Bring the whole family and join storyteller Allison Galbraith for an intergenerational story about old Scot's folk beliefs, solving tricky riddles and connecting to local nature through art and story. Make a fairy dwelling and take away some bee, bird and butterfly friendly seeds to grow your own fairy plot. Session numbers are limited, please phone to book your place.
- March 25th 1pm till 3pm - Wildlife Adventure
Join South Ayrshire Ranger Service in Belleisle Park for a trail around the park which will take you to our Education Garden, at the back of the walled garden, where we will set you up for wild adventures in your own backyard.
You will be
- learning how to create your own wildflower meadows,
- creating homes for nature
- growing your own food
- And much more!
- March 25th 7pm till 9pm: Riverwoods
The Ayr Film Society and South Ayrshire Ranger Service will host a film screening of Riverwoods in Ayr Town Hall. The film will start at 7.15pm and will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with
- Ian Cornforth from NatureScot and Chairman of the Ayrshire and Arran Bat Group
- Liz Marquis, Director of the Energy Agency
- Sara Press, land and biodiversity officer at the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
- Stuart Brabbs, Fisheries Biologist at the Ayrshire Rivers Trust
- Colin Love, Development Officer & Community Engagement, South Ayrshire Council
The salmon need the forest. The forest needs the salmon. And Scotland needs them both.
Watch the trailer here
Keep an eye on this page for updates on events organised by South Ayrshire Council and our community partners. If you are planning an event please get in touch with ranger.service@south-ayrshire.gov.uk for more information, advice and support.