Local campaigners have welcomed the launch of a public consultation on a new national park for Scotland.
Government agency NatureScot is inviting contributions on what the role of the park should be.
The exercise, which runs until November 30, is also seeking views on the criteria for selecting a new national park.
Reacting to the move, Galloway National Park Association highlighted the need for sustainable working communities.
Chairman Rob Lucas said: “It’s important and expected that National Parks will be asked to do more to address the twin challenges of nature recovery and climate change.
“Scotland’s National Park legislation provides scope to address these within its existing framework.
“That balances the four aims of conserving and enhancing the natural and cultural environment of the area whilst promoting its understanding and enjoyment, sustainable use of its natural resources and social and economic development of its communities.
“Galloway has great potential to deliver benefits across all four aims, backed by strong local support including the council.
“With habitats ranging from the stunning coast to the wild land around Merrick, Galloway is at the forefront of climate change and our response to it.”
Mr Lucas added: “Galloway has a great potential to restore the extensive areas of degraded peatland and diversify its forests to enhance nature, increase resilience to future pests and lock up carbon.
“Although GNPA does not get to determine the boundaries or governance model, next summer we will be working with others to put forward the best possible bid for Galloway to be Scotland’s next national park.”
It is nearly 20 years since the first two national parks were created in Scotland.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was established in 2002 and Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003.
Both followed the approval of the National Parks (Scotland) Act in 2000.
Biodiversity minister Lorna Slater said: “Earlier this year I launched a national discussion to understand what the public value most about our national parks and to seek views on what they should be delivering for Scotland, its communities and its visitors.
“For the next stage in the process, NatureScot will lead an online public consultation and host stakeholder meetings to give everyone the opportunity to feed in their views and ideas.
“NatureScot will also work with partners to engage young people, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities including through bespoke surveys and workshops.
“The consultation will lead to a transparent means of assessing candidate national parks and will inform our strategy for supporting our parks to do more for local communities, visitors and nature.”
The New National Park stakeholder consultation will be open for contributions until November 30.
For more information visit the NatureScot website and gallowaynationalpark.org
