Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has praised the Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve for their decades of dedicated volunteer work, following a visit to the site.
The nature reserve, which sits on the edge of the Moray Firth, is home to a wide array of wildlife, from roe deer to otters and a variety of birds. Over the years, the Friends group has transformed a former dump into a tranquil haven for both wildlife and the local community.
During her visit, Ms Roddick spoke with members of the Friends group about the valuable work they do and their ongoing efforts to maintain the reserve. The MSP also heard about the recent acts of vandalism to the boardwalk, which have diverted significant resources away from other projects.
Speaking after the visit, Ms Roddick said:
“I am consistently inspired by the passion and commitment of the Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. What they have achieved in a few decades is nothing short of incredible, transforming the area into an amazing green space that is treasured by the whole community. Hearing Ally describe what the area used to look like while enjoying the peace and nature around me was breathtaking.“This is a prime example of the invaluable work that is done by volunteers in communities across the Highlands and Islands. The recent vandalism to the boardwalk is not just a blow to the Friends group but a loss for the entire community. It is a real shame that the group’s precious time and resources have to be spent on repairs, rather than on the amazing conservation work they do. I will support them in tackling this awful behaviour however I can.“I want to thank the Friends of Merkinch for all they do, and I look forward to working with them to ensure the reserve can continue to be a fantastic local asset for decades to come.”The SNP MSP had previously marked the work of the volunteers in Parliament, during a debate about community engagement.
