GSA Biosphere Partnership submits ‘Strong Support’ response to Galloway National Park Consultation
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership (GSABP) has published in full its response to the public consultation on the proposed Galloway National Park, expressing strong support for a “modern National Park that empowers diverse local stakeholders”. While delivering environmental protections and sustainable economic development, GSABP proposes the UNESCO Biosphere and National Park would operate as a “fully integrated” dual-designated region that would be the first of its kind in Scotland.
Almost exactly a year on from when Galloway entered the running to be made the country’s third National Park, the public consultation is now entering its final two weeks. GSABP was part of the original joint submission, alongside the Galloway National Park Association; the southwest emerged as Scottish Government’s preferred choice ahead of four other outstanding locations nationwide. Emphasising its commitment to local representation and participation, GSABP describes its vision for a National Park as one that would build on over 12 years of local, national and international acclaim that the UNESCO Biosphere has achieved.
The wide-ranging response references key issues that have been raised during the consultation period including housing, jobs, farming and tourism. GSABP explored many of these through its public consultation for the UNESCO Biosphere’s Periodic Review in 2022/23, which led to the re-designation and expansion of the region to take in additional terrestrial and marine areas and make it the largest UNESCO Biosphere in the whole of the UK. All three proposed boundaries for a Galloway National Park include parts of the UNESCO Biosphere and GSABP hopes that the experience and expertise of its 12-strong officer team could give the new National Park Authority an operational head start.
The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere was designated in 2012 and is one of 738 such designations worldwide, all of which share a remit to lead and facilitate local action towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. GSABP was established as a Scottish Charity in 2013 and works across the 9,720km² region in projects covering conservation, education, enterprise and climate resilience. The organisation partners with the public, private and third sectors through an array of projects that include the Biosphere Certification Mark for businesses, Sustainable Events Charter, Learning for Sustainability in schools, and natural capital initiatives that bring groundbreaking land use research into the service of local farmers, supporting nature recovery and regeneration.
The 12-week National Park public consultation, led by NatureScot, will close on 14th February; with ministers expected to consider its findings over summer, a final decision on whether the Galloway National Park proposal will progress is anticipated before the end of 2025. With the UNESCO Biosphere already an award-winning destination for sustainable tourism and the south named as Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, the Galloway National Park proposal may be the most important consultation to take place in the region in a generation or more. GSABP’s full response has been published on the Biosphere’s website: Response to GNP Consultation (Feb 2025).pdf
John Thomson, Chair of the GSA UNESCO Biosphere, said: “On behalf of our Partnership Board, I am delighted to share the GSA Biosphere’s response to the consultation on the Galloway National Park proposal. It has been carefully considered and discussed over several months, and encompasses many decades of combined experience among the Biosphere’s Trustees in areas that are of greatest public interest in the context of the National Park conversation.
“We believe the designation will catalyse and facilitate new multi-sector collaborations. What drives us to support a National Park is the firm belief that it will generate better opportunities for people to live and work in the southwest, while providing critical protections for our precious landscapes, wildlife and habitats. We are strongly supporting the proposed boundary option that brings in as much of the UNESCO Biosphere as possible in recognition of the beauty, rarity and importance of these parts of Dumfries & Galloway, East and South Ayrshire, and the potential for a National Park to bring tangible economic benefits to all three local authority areas.”
Ed Forrest, Director of the GSA UNESCO Biosphere, said: “We are very pleased to share our response to the Galloway National Park consultation, to explain in full our position to local residents, our partners and supporters and hopefully to inspire others to have their say by submitting their own response before the closing date. This has been an astonishingly busy few weeks and the level of public interest in the National Park proposal demonstrates widespread recognition that this will be a pivotal decision for local people and for Scotland as a whole. The Biosphere’s officer team are energised by the incredible support expressed for the UNESCO Biosphere and appreciation for what this designation has already achieved in terms of safeguarding our natural and cultural heritage. We are also delighted to see such enthusiasm for the huge potential that dual designation as UNESCO Biosphere and National Park has to further our work.”
Joan Mitchell, a Dumfries & Galloway farmer and UNESCO Biosphere Trustee, said: “As a livestock farmer for over 50 years, working land farmed by my father before that, I have seen at first hand the accelerating changes in land use that have brought us to a point where industrial and commercial interests are impacting biodiversity, community life, and the very shape of our landscapes. There is much to celebrate in southwest Scotland but also much still to be done in encouraging sustainability and a balanced approach to land use. A National Park operating with the UNESCO Biosphere offers us all the chance for empowerment, to address the most urgent issues of local and global concern.”
Keith Muir, professional forester, Chair of the South of Scotland Dark Sky Network and UNESCO Biosphere Trustee, said: “Southwest Scotland and within it the UNESCO Biosphere has incredible vitality and amazing potential; it is recognised as one of the nation’s richest and most diverse natural environments, a place for world-leading scientific research and innovation, and as a visitor destination with unparalleled attractions. In supporting a National Park we are articulating a vision that all these things, including the sky above, can be sustained and enhanced, becoming even more of a source of pride for the people who live here and a destination of choice for visitors.”
Allan Rattray, former Head Teacher of Girvan Academy and UNESCO Biosphere Trustee, said: “The GSA Biosphere Partnership champions inclusivity and representation and we encourage everyone who shares our passion for this region to get involved in the National Park decision by responding to the consultation hosted by NatureScot. In supporting the proposal we are sharing our emphatic belief that this will be seen as an exceptional opportunity to support our young people by attracting investment that helps local businesses and enterprises, achieves long term progress in education, and so much more.”
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish Charity (SC044137) supported by core funding from South of Scotland Enterprise and Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Councils. More information is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or by email request to info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
