The Final Lecture of the 2023 / 2024 Season is on

Friday 8th March 2024

'Butterflies of the Highlands: Giving Them a Helping Hand'

by

Tracy Munro & Peter Moore

Tracy Munro and Peter Moore are going to talk to us about the work of  Butterfly Conservation Scotland, based in Inverness.

Peter worked in nature conservation for more than forty years.  During his career he managed nature reserves for the RSPB, including 23 years as Warden of Insh Marshes reserve in Strathspey.  Pete's particular interest is in practical habitat management, and although he retired just over a year ago, he continues to be heavily involved in conservation work as a volunteer.  His passion for butterflies and moths developed relatively late in his career, but he is now making up for lost time.  He is Chair and Events Organiser of Butterly Conservation's Highlands & Islands Branch.

Tracy, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to butterfly conservation.  Following a 25 year career in the NHS in the Nuclear Medicine section, she threw caution to the wind and 'switched my clean room overalls for a Species on the Edge T-shirt, a four year contract, and a butterfly net!'  And, let's be very clear - Tracy does not regret it for a moment.  She is the East Coast Species on the Edge Project Officer for Butterfly Conservation Scotland, and through her work with the SotE Programme has been able to develop an understanding of  the factors contributing to the decline of her two personal favourite species - the northern brown argus and the small blue butterflies.

As the first harbingers of Spring warily poke their heads above the last throes of the winter parapet, we are delighted to welcome Tracy and Pete to talk to us about the delights of our long summer days and their colourful flora and fauna.

Nairn Free Church, Gordon Street

7.00 p.m.

All Welcome

Members Free, Guests £5.00 on the door