Bexley Swallows Cubs, based at the United Reformed Church in Hurst Road, Bexley Village, are one of the groups around the world who have signed up to the WWF’s Earth hour which takes place next month. The event, which aims to be the largest mass global action on climate change, is asking people to turn their lights off for one hour on March 27 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. The Cubs will be doing their bit on pack night on March 25 when they will hold their meeting without lights.

People can help clean up the River Cray by joining Thames21, London’s leading waterways charity, for a volunteer clean-up in Crayford on February 21. Supported by Cory Environmental, volunteer riverkeepers are looking for local people to join then as they clear a stretch of the river in Crayford. Anyone interested should meet up at the Maxim Road bridge, off Roman Way at 20.45am. For details Bexley Riverkeeper Co-ordinator Ashe Hurst at ashe.hurst@thames21.org.uk or call 07968 805751.

Members of the public can learn how to restore traditional chestnut paling fencing with Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers (LACV) on February 21. The group will be repairing the fencing protecting wildflower enclosures in Lesnes Abbey Wood which are sites of special scientific interest. The work starts from the information centre by the abbey ruins off Abbey Road, Abbey Wood at noon and finishes around 3.30pm. All equipment and drinks are provided and helpers should wear suitable clothes and bring a packed lunch. All ages and abilities welcome. Call 0208 3173748.

National Nest Box Week, organised by the British Trust for Ornithology begins on Valentine’s Day. This year will be the 14th annual event, which aims to encourage everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area to help in the conservation of breeding birds. Since then, thousands of people across the UK have put up boxes to compensate for the gradual loss of natural habitats and it is estimated there are now up to six million boxes in gardens across the country.

All waste batteries will have to be recycled under new EU legislation, the Batteries Directive. It aims to put an end to the 600 million portable batteries which are placed in UK landfill sites each year. Retailers selling more than seven packs of batteries per week will have to provide waste battery collection bins and councils are looking at other accessible locations. To find your nearest collection point, visit BatteryBack.co.uk

Just four per cent of biofuels imported for use in the UK meet environmental standards, according to the Renewable Fuels Agency. Pressure group Friends of the Earth called the findings “shocking”. Group campaigner Kenneth Richter said: "Biofuels are not the answer to our energy woes. The UK should scrap its targets and must focus our attention on developing greener transport alternatives to cars, such as fast and affordable rail services and cycling and walking."