SCNP & APRS Submission to Call for Views from the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, 

Following the announcement from the Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Action to Protect Rural Scotland and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, who have been campaigning for a new National Park for Scotland for more than a decade are sending the following statements.   We will be considering the NatureScot reports that have now been published and reflecting the process that the Scottish Government have conducted over the last 4 years.

As we enter the final week of the public consultation for a new Galloway National Park, environmental organisations are lending their support for Scotland’s new third National Park

Ahead of a council vote on a new Galloway National Park, the latest research has shown that a new National Park brings huge benefits.

How to give your views on the proposal for a potential new National Park covering parts of Dumfries and Galloway and South and East Ayrshire. You can access a copy of the draft SCNP & APRS response and an example summary response.

Scottish Government publishes a summary and analysis of responses to the public consultation on Scotland’s strategic framework for biodiversity 'Tackling the nature emergency'

Galloway National Park Association’s press release as they head to the Scottish Parliament

This MSP briefing looks at the key areas of the two new Scottish Environment LINK reports, ‘Social and Economic Benefits of National Parks’ and ‘Farming in National Parks’.

A new report commissioned by Scottish Environment LINK lays out the benefits National Park status brings to farmers operating within them.

Cairngorms National Park demonstrate how the management of a national park is an inclusive, dynamic and participatory process where members of the public have influence over the decisions made. The Cairngorms National Park Authority are currently carrying out three public consultations.

A new report published today, commissioned by Scottish Environment LINK, considers the socio-economic benefits of Scotland’s National Parks for businesses working within them.

Find out about the proposal for a new National Park in Galloway, and opportunities to get your opinion heard.

In this blog Duncan MacRae introduces research developed by a task force of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas proposing an initial lexicon of key terms related to area-based conservation approaches.

On 22nd July 2024, Mairi Gougeon MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands announced that Scottish Ministers were proposing Galloway for designation as a new National Park.

Later this year, the Scottish Government is set to bring forward a Natural Environment Bill which could include amendments to the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. Earlier this year Scottish Environment LINK released a report called “Protecting 30 percent of Scotland’s land for nature” which SCNP and APRS contributed to. It includes coverage of how National Parks can contribute to biodiversity recovery and meeting 30 by 30.

As we look at how National Parks can contribute to 30 by 30 in Scotland (see report from SE LINK), in this article we turn our attention to the 30 by 30 discussion in Wales. Howard Davies, Independent Chair of the Biodiversity Deep Dive – Designated Landscapes expert group provides an overview of how National Parks and National Landscapes in Wales have a crucial role to play in the delivery of 30 by 30 .

This position statement has been prepared by Campaign for National Parks and the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes on the proposal for a new National Park in North East Wales

SCNP was delighted to welcome John Mayhew as its new Chair at the April 2024 AGM. Read more about John’s appointment and his views on new National Parks in Scotland

In May 2024, the Scottish Government reiterated its intention to designate at least one new National Park. Following the appointment of the new First Minister and a reshuffle of positions, the responsibility for National Parks now falls within the rural affairs portfolio, under the Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon MSP.