Projects from Tayside and Fife are among those shortlisted for the prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards.
The finalists for the accolade were unveiled at a Scottish Parliament reception hosted by Mark Ruskell MSP on Tuesday.
Now in their fifth year the awards celebrate the people, projects and organisations across the country working to protect Scotland’s wildlife and habitats.
The Colin Burt Wildlife Reserve in Killin is shortlisted in the Youth and Education category for its transformation of 50 acres of wet grazing ground and plantation into an accessible nature reserve where the local community can learn about conservation.
Work to prevent field erosion at the Balruddery Farm of The James Hutton Institute, near Dundee, has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award.
A project by farmers, land managers and estates in Fife and Angus to help reverse the decline in numbers of birds called corn buntings is shortlisted for the Food and Farming Award.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell is shortlisted in the Politician of the Year category for his commitment to environmental causes, first as a councillor at Stirling Council and since his election to the Scottish Parliament.
Winners will be revealed at a black tie presentation dinner on November 24 2016, at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh.
Wildlife TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham will host the event.
He said: “This shortlist shows there are people, projects and organisations across Scotland dedicated to protecting its wildlife and wild places, and the presentation dinner will be a fantastic event to mark all their achievements.”
