Action plan with wildlife at heart
Outcome will affect conservation decisions
A consultation has started on how to safeguard wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park.
Residents can have their say on what the priorities should be in the Cairngorms Nature Action Plan 2018-2023.
The plan will impact conservation decisions in the park over the next five years.
Launched in May 2013, Cairngorms Nature is a partnership that brings people and organisations together with the aim of driving forward conservation projects in the park.
It has seen a great deal achieved within the first five years from significant progress in woodland expansion and creation, peatland restoration and improved habitats for waders.
The 12-week consultation got underway on Wednesday last week, with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) asking for views on the draft action plan.
It sets out what the park authority considers the most important things to do are and provides a focus for the work of partners. The key elements of the plan are landscape scale conservation, focused action for priority species and ensuring that people can get involved.
Chair of Cairngorms Nature, Andy Wells said: “This is a place hugely valued by people for diverse reasons and a landscape of immense importance to wildlife much of which depends on, and is a product of the working of the land over generations.
“It is also a landscape where there is a shared vision to create even more diversity, even greater abundance of distinctive habitats and species and which is internationally recognised for its quality of environment – but with people at its heart.
“We know we have something very special here in the Cairngorms National Park but we must never be complacent and must always be striving to protect and enhance the area’s unique cultural and natural heritage features – this is why everyone’s views are important and we urge everyone with an interest in the area to find out more about
A consultation has opened into the future of the Cairngorms National Park the next Cairngorms Nature Action Plan and share your opinions with us.”
Judith Webb, a member of the CNPA Board and the Cairngorms Nature Strategy Group said: “It is important to stress that this is not a park authority action plan but a plan for everyone who lives, works, visits, enjoys or cares for this wonderful national park.
“Conservation in the park will only be really sustainable in the long-term by putting people at its heart through decision making, through the actions of land managers, through volunteering or by simply caring enough to take part in this consultation .”
The consultation closes on Friday, September 14. To take part visit the CNPA website.