Highland councillors have signed up to champion 21 struggling species found across the Highlands.
The species champions, 19 in all, come from across all political parties.
They have undertaken to champion a wide range of animals from adders to slow worms, wild cats to golden eagles, mountain hares to mountain mason bees and bottlenosed dolphins to minke whales.
The task of a species champion is to raise the profile and boost public awareness of species found across the Highlands.
The initiative focuses on those species that are currently struggling to survive in a changing environment and are at significant risk of declining numbers leading to unviable populations and in some cases possible extinction.
Some such as the wild cat and golden eagle are well-known and attract visitors in their own right, but others may not be conventionally photogenic or lack the charisma of many of the larger iconic species.
Some of these species are endemic to small pockets of the Highlands, found nowhere else on earth.
The champions will raise their profile and highlight the fundamental role they play in maintaining Highland’s unique biodiversity.
The species champions will develop a relationship with the society, organisation or local group that promotes the species or is actively involved in its conservation.
The idea is that the councillors will raise issues that may affect species in relevant council debates and public meetings ensuring it is not forgotten and can be properly considered in council decision making.
Many species remain without a champion, and its hoped that more councillors will come forward.