A green-fingered Lanarkshire resident is to speak up about the future of the planet at an eco event this week.
Eugenie Aroutcheff, from Rutherglen, will join the likes of David Attenborough, John Bishop and Ben Miller in speaking at the Eden Project's Festival of Discovery this week.
The event will feature groups across the country who are doing their bit for the environment and to help the planet - including gardening group Grow 73 in the Royal Burgh, which Eugenie organises.
Over the years the local charity have been involved in a number of eco friendly projects across the region, and are currently developing a community eco garden at Overtoun Park.
Over the past six years they have also worked with local primary schools, helped brighten up Rutherglen train station with greenery and most recently created a 6.2km ‘Bee Line’ of small green pockets filled with nectar-rich plants.
Eugenie told Lanarkshire Live : “I’m so excited to be speaking at the Festival. Since starting our project six years ago, it’s grown arms and legs and taken us on a journey of discovery.
"I have met amazing people along the way which have given me hope that the work we do matters.
“We are living in truly challenging times and the feeling of feeling powerless in front of the size of these challenges could make anyone feel hopeless. This is why grassroot movements matter – they are palpable, powerful and change people's habits.
"Partnership working is the way forward as we can have a much greater impact in our communities by working together.”
The Festival of Discovery runs from Thursday November 11 through until Saturday November 13 and is coinciding with the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
Other events on the programme include Sir David Attenborough discussing how to save the natural world with renowned academic E. O. Wilson, actor and bestselling author Ben Miller sharing the inspiration for his magical children’s books, Gardeners’ Question Time with BBC One’s Mark Lane and an uplifting dance work-out with influencer and personal trainer Tally Rye.
Attendees can expect expert panels on issues such as eco-gardening and slow fashion, as well as cook-alongs, upcycling workshops and even high energy work-outs and music to chill out to.
The Festival of Discovery is curated by the Eden Project Communities team, who are also responsible for the UK’s annual community celebration, The Big Lunch.
Tracey Robbins, head of UK delivery at Eden Project Communities, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be inviting Eugenie to the Festival of Discovery next weekend.
"Here at Eden Project Communities, we know that there are thousands of amazing people doing their bit to protect the planet by joining forces with their communities and seeing the amazing things that can happen when we work together.
"We can’t wait to hear some of their stories and hope that everyone attending will come away feeling inspired and motivated to get together to protect our planet."
More details on the events at the festival of Discovery can be found here.
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