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A nature reserve for Merkinch? - for The Inverness Courier

Last week I spent some time with representatives of the South Kessock Environment Project to hear more about the proposed Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. Following the disappointment of the Waterfront centre proposal, this innovative idea has the potential to give a real boost to the local community and the whole city.

The site of the proposed reserve takes in the area from the South Kessock pier to the Caledonian canal’s sea lock and includes the west field and the playing fields. This beautiful and interesting area is an idea nature reserve, with good walks and plenty of birds, plants and animals including roe deer.

It is unusual to have such a diverse environment in the heart of a City, and we should make much more of this valuable asset. That is precisely what the local community intend to do with plans being made to have the area designated as a Local Nature Reserve – it would be the first in the Highlands – by the local council. A management plan would then help to improve the facilities so that this place can be enjoyed by all.

There is a lot of talk about the importance of our environment at a global level, and rightly so because action is desperately needed to tackle climate change. But we all have a role to play, so it was good to see that there people in our own community prepared to take action locally.

I hope that all of the public agencies involved will enthusiasticall get behind this plan, so that this idea can be turned into a reality. I will be doing my bit, because the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve can make a difference not just for South Kessock but for the whole of our City.

Posted on: 03/07/2007