Have your say – Proposed national park in Galloway

Scottish Government has released a proposal for a new National Park in Galloway.

Scottish Government has released a proposal for a new National Park in Galloway. NatureScot has been appointed Reporter and will be investigating the proposal. They are currently heading into the formal consultation period and keen to engage and consult with stakeholders in the area, particularly young people, ethnic minorities, disability groups and other underrepresented groups. 

Can you help raise awareness of the proposal for a new National Park with the people you work with, particularly those in or near the suggested boundary (which takes in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire).

This is not a done deal. NatureScot has been asked to investigate the proposal.  They are encouraging conversations and listening to opinions and during November, December and January everyone will have a formal opportunity to have their say via a formal consultation. NatureScot are keen to work in partnership with those already working with young people and other underrepresented groups in or near the proposed area.

They welcome and support participation from young people, minority ethnic groups, disabled people and other people with protected characteristics. Please let them know of any relevant existing events, gatherings or projects we might collaborate with, to engage with groups within their communities and support them to take part in ways that best suit them.

NatureScot have created a short resource to help young people to:

1. Discover what a National Park is.
2. Explore how they feel about their area now and what they want to see in the future.
3. Critically analyse the different views and information that they hear.
4. Understand how they can contribute to the consultation process.

You can find the resource, keep up to date on the process, and find a link to the consultation surveys (once the formal consultation starts) via the Information Hub – A proposal for a National Park in Galloway.  The direct link to the resource is here:  Resources for Educators and Leaders Working with Young People

NatureScot welcome feedback on the resource, and are keen to see the work young people have created by using it. You can share this with us by emailing nationalparkreporter@nature.scot before 31 January (the end of the consultation period). All feedback made by young people will be anonymised and we will not publish it on the Information Hub. It will be used in our consultation analysis report to Scottish Government and in any further consultations.

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