It is possibly this pride that encourages and inspires many people to get involved in looking after and conserving our countryside through volunteering.
One way to get involved in your local environment is through volunteering with Borders Forest Trust, a local woodland conservation charity.
The trust was established in 1996 to restore and conserve the native woodland heritage of the south of Scotland, and rekindle a woodland culture within the people who live here.
The trust supports community woodlands, native woodland conservation, education and arts projects, and offers a range of voluntary activities that people can become involved in.
Volunteers make a tremendous contribution to the work of the trust at all levels, from the voluntary board of directors through to the keen workers involved in the practical work in community woodlands and woodland conservation projects.
This year the trust has secured funding from Leader, Lloyds TSB, Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Voluntary Action Fund to deliver a woodland volunteering project.
Volunteers are encouraged to participate every Wednesday in a variety of management tasks within both the community woodlands and other woodland habitat sites.
The project has been funded for the next two years and is open to members of the public who want to join in.
Whether you're retired and want to fill in some of your new 'free time' or whether you're out of work and are looking for some additional skills to add to your CV, why not come out and help, say organisers.
Tasks include tree planting, tree tube removal, wildlife surveying, scrub clearance and path maintenance.
It's a great opportunity to get outside into the woods, meet like-minded people, learn new skills, increase your knowledge about the countryside, and ultimately, do your bit for conservation and the environment.
The trust also co-ordinates volunteering opportunities at Carrifran Wildwood, near the Grey Mare's Tail, just across the border in Dumfries and Galloway.
Carrifran is a 660-hectare valley that is being planted to recreate the ancient wildwood that flourished there several thousand years ago.
A dedicated team of volunteers is instrumental in transforming this open hill landscape back into native broadleaved woodland, enhancing the site for wildlife and biodiversity.
Volunteering at Carrifran takes place every Tuesday and the third Sunday of every month (excluding July, August and December).
If you fancy joining them to volunteer in a range of woodland activities, why not get in touch and sign up?
The information can be found by going to their website, www.bordersforest trust.org, or alternatively call the office on 01835 830 750 and speak to Lisa Brydon.
The trust is just one of a number of environmental organisations working to improve the Borders and is an active member of the Scottish Borders Environment Partnership, a charity which aims to raise awareness of the environment and sustainability, promote conservation, and encourage and support practical projects that improve our environment.
To find out more, log on to www.onlineborders.org. uk/site/microsites/sbep
There are also other opportunities to get involved in volunteering in the environment.
The Volunteer Centre Borders (www.vcborders. org.uk) can provide you with much information of what is available locally to help you to make a difference and enhance the Borders countryside.