Environmental advisors are holding a free evening reception near Peebles next week to discuss what they do.
Borders representatives will be among the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) officials holding the informal evening at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel on Wednesday.
The Scottish Government body advises on the management and sustainable use of the country’s wildlife, natural habitats and landscape.
Operations manager in SNH’s Galashiels office, Andrew Panter said: “We are doing our best to bring people and nature and landscapes together for the benefit of everybody. We are advisors, we are not decision-makers.”
Andrew will explain that, among many roles, SNH aims to conserve and enhance nature, promotes sustainable land use and balances the government’s policy of renewables with protecting the natural environment.
It manages national reserves such as Whitlaw Mosses near Selkirk and is directly involved with the government’s Scotland Rural Development Programme and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).
There are 94 SSSIs in the Borders covering six percent of the region while across Scotland there are 1,431 occupying 12 percent of the land.
SNH national chairman Andrew Thin will host the event with board member, Sid Pattern, area manager, Chris Miles and Mr Panter.
For more information call 01896 756652 or email: Galashiels@snh.gov.uk.