THIS week's community column comes from Gordon Watson, chief executive of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
* * * * * * * * * *
AS we approach the festive break, I like many of you, am looking forward to the holidays after what has been a unique and challenging year. In particular I’m looking forward to some family time outdoors.
Throughout this year of stresses and restrictions the National Park has provided a place for people to benefit from getting outside for recreation as well as enjoying its nature and landscapes with the many physical and mental health benefits that provides.
While this has brought some significant management challenges, I see it as very positive that new audiences are turning to the outdoors to improve their health and wellbeing.
READ MORE: Councillor column: The community consequences of planning cases gone wrong
The pressures of the year have also led to more effective and positive joint working with partners and stakeholders looking to solve some of the visitor management issues that arose, such as littering and irresponsible parking.
We will be using what we’ve learned this year to make improvements for the next visitor season and beyond so we can support people to enjoy the Park responsibly while at the same time protecting its nature and communities.
A huge amount of partnership work has gone into this over 2020, and this was recently recognised at our final board meeting of the year with a report acknowledging the impact of this year’s visitor season and the contribution made by many partners.
READ MORE: Letters to the Advertiser: December 17, 2020
While winter is undoubtedly quieter, those of us living within or close to the National Park are lucky to be able to continue to venture out to enjoy the seasonal contrasts. I would just ask everyone to make sure they follow the appropriate local authority Covid-19 tier guidelines and also take extra care in the winter conditions, particularly on our hills and mountains and in the water.
While visitor management will continue to be a top priority in 2021, I am also looking forward to having a greater focus on our commitments to climate and nature in the new year. I was very pleased that our board approved two key pieces of work recently: becoming signatories to the Edinburgh Declaration pledging to do more to tackle biodiversity loss by setting out a FutureNature plan for the National Park, and our Mission Zero routemap which outlines the National Park Authority’s ambitions for reaching net zero emissions by 2030. I look forward to sharing more on both of these in 2021.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here