NatureScot, the government body responsible for Scotland’s natural heritage, has launched a public consultation on the future of the country’s National Parks.Building on a national online discussion that took place earlier this year, the consultation seeks to understand the role of National Parks in protecting and restoring nature, tackling climate change, managing facilities and access for visitors, and developing sustainable communities. It also seeks views on the criteria required to assess nominations for new National Parks in a fair and transparent way. Scotland’s existing National Parks are home to some of the country’s most outstanding scenery. They are internationally important areas for nature and receive millions of visitors each year. The Scottish Government has committed to designate at least one new National Park by 2026, and the Landscape Institute (LI) are keen to ensure our members’ opinions help shape the future of National Parks in Scotland. We welcome your thoughts and ideas about the role of Scotland’s National Parks and the criteria that will be important for selecting new National Parks. There are two ways you can get involved:
- Take part in the online consultation at consult.gov.scot
- Get in touch with the LI so we can include your thoughts in our own response
If you’d like to inform the LI’s response, please contact Scotland Policy and Partnership Manager Hazel Benza to submit your ideas or arrange a one-to-one discussion. (Please note that the consultation closes on Wednesday 30 November.)
