- Campaigners welcome support of John Muir Trust – named after Scot who gave National Parks to the world
- Make Scotland’s National Day the time you join the calls for a new National Park
The John Muir Trust – a leading voice for the UK’s wild places – has lent its voice to calls for a new National Park in Galloway, South and East Ayrshire.
The organisation, which is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of the UK’s wild places, looks after Ben Nevis and other precious landscapes.
Thomas Widrow, Head of Campaigns for JMT, said: “As the nation’s charity for wild places, we stand by communities who fight to protect and celebrate the wild places they love.
“We must protect and restore natural processes to tackle the joint nature and climate crises. Designating a new National Park will help Scotland do exactly that.
“In Galloway, the community-led campaign to establish a new National Park has demonstrated incredible resilience over a sustained period of time.
“We hope the Scottish Government will nominate Galloway as the nation’s next National Park. Doing so would demonstrate to the UK and the rest of the world that Scotland is serious about addressing the nature and climate crisis.”
Founded in 1983 the organisation is named after the Scot, John Muir who is known as “the father of National Parks” after coming up with the idea and working for their establishment in the USA.
It works to further his aims as a conservationist and an ardent believer in the value of wild places. JMT is also committed to climate justice and a sustainable future where humans and nature operate together.
Mr Widrow said: “The John Muir Trust believes wild places should benefit from a just transition that ensures communities are supported to live and work in these beautiful landscapes, in harmony with nature.
“The GNPA’s vision for a National Park aligns with the principles of a just transition in wild places – giving nature the freedom to thrive, with communities and stewards of the land at the heart of that nature restoration effort.
“We are excited to see the process to nominate the next National Park progress further!”
A 14-week consultation is currently underway into proposals to create a New National Park in Galloway, South and East Ayrshire.
Sandra McDowall, GNPA Vice Chair, said: “John Muir’s legacy is a worldwide network of National Parks that do wonderful work to protect nature and the environment.
“But while there are 15 in the UK, his Scottish homeland has just two.
“We are delighted that with St Andrew’s Day approaching, the John Muir Trust has joined the calls for a new National Park that would do so much for Galloway and Scotland, and carry forward the aims of a truly great Scot.”
The announcement by JMT follows last week’s call by Ramblers Scotland to make their voices heard in favour of the National Park proposal.
- Find out about the 14-week National Park consultation here.
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Note to Editors
- For more about the John Muir Trust see https://www.johnmuirtrust.org
- For media information contact: Matthew Shelley 07786 704299 or [email protected] or Thomas Widrow Head of Campaigns at [email protected].
About GNPA
Galloway National Park Association is a community-based group with trustees from across the region. We started work in 2017 and have over 1100 members, young supporters and business champions. Our objects are:
- To promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural assets of the area for public benefit.
- To promote, undertake and publish research into issues affecting conservation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the area and to identify how this may be furthered through the designation of a National Park.
- To advance public education in and understanding of how a National Park could contribute to improving health and wellbeing through the enjoyment, understanding or enhancement of the area’s natural and cultural asset”.
Rob Lucas is the association’s Chair and Sandra McDowall the Vice Chair. Dame Barbara Kelly is the President. The association has been funded by membership and donations, and contributions from Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Dumfries & Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council.
Galloway National Park Association is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with OSCR (SC047398) on 9th May 2017