A FORMER “Countryman of the Year” has called on the public – and landowners – to support the creation of a new National Park in Galloway.
Mark Gibson OBE, has spent 24 years restoring and reviving the 3000-acre Craigengillan Estate in East Ayrshire, which could fall within the proposed park boundaries.
And he sees the current public consultation as a huge opportunity for the region – a chance to protect and enhance its natural assets and harness them to build a brighter, more sustainable future.
He said: “National Park status would enhance our ability to do much more for the region and to create a better future for so many people, particularly younger people and future generations.
“National Parks are very good at bringing people together to collaborate in the interests of nature, the environment and the community, and that’s very much what we need.”
Mark has long been committed to the idea of a National Park and is a patron of GNPA (the Galloway National Park Association), as well as being closely involved with the Scottish Forestry Trust and the UNESCO Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere.
His firm belief is that a National Park could prove a powerful force in bringing together and strengthening existing conservation work, as well as allowing the funding of new ones.
In addition, he believes it would be a source of many new jobs and business opportunities, adding: “I firmly believe that a National Park would make it so much easier for projects all across the region to succeed and bring so many benefits.”
Pic: Colin Hattersley
