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Students at Scotland’s most environmentally friendly campus have designed a range of stunning wall murals as part of a competition sponsored by letting company, Grant Management and their charity, Global Trees.

The winning design, by nutrition student Ishy Walters, will sit in Queen Margaret University’s internet café, a prominent position within the new campus.

It is hoped the design will inspire students to adopt environmentally friendlier ways of living, and it signifies a commitment between the University and the carbon neutral company to further embrace sustainable ways of living and building.

Founder of Grant Management and Global Trees, Peter Grant, said: “Helping the planet is a big issue for the students and young professionals who form the bulk of our tenants, and it is a big issue for us as a business. Property accounts for 52% of all carbon emissions, so by going carbon neutral we're offering students the choice to live in a more sustainable way.

“We are delighted to be sponsoring this mural. Supporting Queen Margaret University in its goal to create a low carbon campus allows us to extend that message.”

Student winner, Ishy Walters, said: “I am thrilled to have won the Grant Management / Global Trees Mural competition to raise awareness of environmental impact. I really hope that this bright positive visual image will encourage people to work together and make the changes which will have a real impact in supporting the ecology of our natural world.”

Professor Anthony Cohen, Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, added: "The mural competition was an ideal vehicle for our students' creativity, and has been an excellent demonstration of their talent and imagination. We are delighted to have Grant Management as our corporate partner supporting our commitment to environmental sustainability. We look forward to developing our relationship in the future."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Grant Management / Global Trees
Grant Management offset all carbon emissions from the properties they manage by planting trees on behalf of all their landlords and tenants through sister carbon-offsetting charity, Global Trees www.globaltrees.co.uk .
Peter Grant, Co-founder of Grant Management and his wife Colette set up Global Trees in November 2006 after being inspired by a speech on global warming by former US President Bill Clinton. The couple hope to plant 30m trees a year through the charity by encouraging a million people to donate at least £5 from their wages every month.
For more information on Grant Management visit:
www.grantmanagement.co.uk

Queen Margaret University
Inspired by the great tradition of Scottish education, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is dedicated to delivering professional learning and specialises in research which is of value to the community and enhances people’s lives. QMU has expertise in health; drama and the creative industries; media and social science; and business and enterprise. QMU welcomes all in society, from home and abroad, who wish to realise their full potential.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh has been named as one of the 10 ten modern universities in the UK in the Sunday Times 2007 league tables, and the joint top modern university in Scotland.