Locals urged not to miss the boat on Merkinch reserve consultation

A three week public consultation process by The Highland Council on the future of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Inverness is coming to an end this Sunday 2nd March, 2008.

Members of the public are invited to the old ferry office at South Kessock on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm to have their say on Highland’s only LNR.

This is the last event before the consultants sit down and start pulling together all the ideas that they have received about the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.

Free tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available to all those who would like to share their stories about the Merkinch LNR with local consultants; Toni Clark, Bill Taylor and Phil James. They want to know what locals like and don’t like about the place and would particularly like to hear about any wildlife sightings.

By the end of march the consultants will draw up a three-year management plan for the LNR.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “It’s particularly important that local people with knowledge of the area don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to this consultation on the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. This local involvement will help to determine how the site is used and managed in the future.”

Anyone with information on the Merkinch area’s wildlife, history, flora and fauna can contact Jonathan Willet, Highland Biodiversity Officer on 01463 702274 or jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk.