Local People Invited To SNH Reception In Wick

19th March 2011

Local people are being invited along to an informal evening reception by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) at Mackays Hotel, Wick, Caithness, from 7 pm until 9pm on Wednesday 30 March.

SNH is the Scottish Government's advisor on the management, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland's wildlife, natural habitats and landscape.

Andrew Thin, SNH chairman, will host the event, along with area manager Lesley Cranna.

Andrew Thin said: "The evening will provide an opportunity for informal discussion about the work of SNH in the area, what we do and why; giving people the opportunity to raise issues relating to the natural environment which are of interest to them.

"This is about making senior people in SNH more accessible to the public and is also a really useful way for us to keep in touch with public perceptions of the organisation. We certainly hope many people will be able to come along and we look forward to meeting them on the night."

Lesley Cranna added: "During the evening we will be keen to discuss local priorities for the environment, health and economic development, and how SNH can help to deliver them."

The event is free and light refreshments will be provided.

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What SNH does

SNH's job is to look after Scotland's nature, a vital asset to the country's economy and the health and well-being of its people.

We do this by:

providing advice and information;
supporting projects that benefit wildlife, habitats and landscapes, or that encourage more people to enjoy nature responsibly;
advising Government on legal and policy matters concerning Scotland's nature
commissioning research to underpin much of our work
A key area of our work is in helping developers and land managers to take account of wildlife. At the planning stage we help identify what species or habitats might be affected by a development or activity, and how to avoid this.

Recent examples of our work include:

working with the developers of the new golf course at Machrihanish , now recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly golf courses around;
giving advice on the redevelopment of Leith Docks , which lies close to an internationally important area for wild birds;
as a partner in the pioneering moorland management demonstration project on Langholm Moor in the borders;
developing the groundbreaking Scottish Outdoor Access Code .
Renewable energy, particularly marine, is an area of rapid growth for us. The potential benefits of increasing the amount of energy that comes from renewable sources are huge.

But there is also the potential for many renewable energy developments to harm wildlife or damage landscapes. Our role is to help the sector develop in harmony with protected areas and species.

A huge part of our work is on species. We're involved in:

the reintroduction of beavers and sea eagles ;
the protection of red squirrels, capercaillie and Scottish wildcat ;
tackling wildlife crime;
combating the impact of alien species on native ones.
We also help address climate change, through building a better understanding of the effects it has in Scotland and how nature can limit and adapt to the changes.

As an organisation we are also continually reducing our own carbon footprint.

We have responsibility for Scotland's National Nature Reserves , many of which we own and manage on behalf of Scotland's people.

These reserves are used to demonstrate best practice management for nature conservation and are promoted as places where people can enjoy the best of Scotland's nature.

SNH's customer is the Scottish Government and, through it, the people of Scotland.

The organisation receives about £60m a year from Government. We employ around 850 staff in 40 offices across the country, many of them rural. Our teams of scientists cover a whole range of specialisms.

We can usually provide comment or interviews on virtually any aspect of nature conservation in Scotland, terrestrial or marine, as well as on countryside access issues.

Web site www.snh.gov.uk