Mersey Forest creates ''I Want To Hold Your Hand" environmental weekends

Want to help the environment, but don’t have a clue how to go about it? Fancy visiting Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 2008, but feel guilty about spoiling yourself when you should be concentrating on your carbon footprint? Now, thanks to fantastic new conservation weekends from BTCV and the Mersey Forest, your dilemma is at an end.

What are being called ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ Weekends are being staged on the stunning Merseyside coastline between August 16-17 and 30-31 and September 13-14 and 27-28, to allow you to get stuck in to some high impact, relevant environmental protection work that will help one of Britain’s most endangered species.

Once you’ve delivered some payback for your trip to Merseyside’s coast and countryside area, you can also soak up the vibe of a city that just isn’t sleeping in 2008, with a constant buzz that emanates from an exciting and packed programme of cultural events and activities.

Your conservation work will take place by day, under the guidance and supervision of a trained BTCV leader, who will help you every step of the way and who doesn’t expect you to know a thing about conservation, DIY or gardening!

On August 16-17 and September 13-14, participants will be hammering and nailing fencing into position around toad pools in beautiful, coastal Ainsdale, inhabited by Natterjack toads during the breeding season. Preservation of these key breeding areas is fundamental to the continued existence of this very rare, native creature, so this work really matters.

The same is true of vegetation control, which will be carried out on the weekend of August 30-31 at breathtaking Formby Point, again on the Merseyside coast, and then between September 27-28 back at Ainsdale.

As this is daytime work, the evening is at the disposal of volunteers, who can head into the city to soak up the cultural jamboree taking place throughout Liverpool this summer.

One thing not to miss is the Late at the Tate experience, which sees Liverpool’s fabulous Tate Gallery, home to one of the UK’s best collections of cutting-edge, modern and contemporary art (1900-2008) staying open until 9pm every Tuesday to Saturday in August and on the last Thursday of the month in September.

As well as viewing paintings, installations, sculptures and photographic works, visitors can expect to hear poetry readings and themed talks in the gallery space, tap their feet to music in the foyer and spend a little pocket money in the shop and café.

There is also the chance to potentially catch the highly acclaimed Gustav Klimt exhibition, running at Tate Liverpool to August 31, featuring major paintings and drawings from all stages of Klimt’s career. This is the first comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s work to ever have been staged in the UK, making it a must-see for those who can make time during, or before or after, one of the August conservation weekends.

Tate Liverpool is located in a beautifully converted warehouse, right at the heart of one of Liverpool’s most vibrant areas – historic Albert Dock, Liverpool’s number one visitor attraction. Strolling around the dock in the evening will enable you to soak up the energy of the stylish bars and restaurants huddled around a dock originally opened by Prince Albert in 1846 and boasting the UK’s largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings.

Having wandered between venues including Baby Cream, The Pan American Club, Blue and Gusto, all that remains is to hit the pillow in the hotel of your choice, as the BTCV weekends are non-residential, giving you the freedom to stay where you want.

With choices such as the stunning Devonshire House Hotel, in its Grade II, Georgian listed building, the stylish and contemporary Radisson SAS Hotel and Hope Street Hotel – one of the "World’s 50 Coolest Hotels’ according to Conde Nast Traveller, the world is your oyster.

The BTCV weekends cost £100 for two-days, with an option to take part in a single day’s work for £60. More information is available at www2.btcv.org.uk/display/Natural_Tourism_Merseyside.

Details of activities taking place in Liverpool during the Capital of Culture year, along with information about hotels – many part of the Green Tourism Business Scheme – are available at Visitliverpool.com.