A new vision for Scotland’s nature and landscapes has been unveiled.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland have joined forces to propose a “national ecological network”.
Nature reserves in Courier Country would be linked with others across the nation to create new woodlands, restore wetlands and improve management of the farmed landscape to benefit wildlife.
The proposal has been submitted for consideration as a national development in Scotland’s third National Planning Framework, which will set out Government planning priorities over the next 20 to 30 years.
If the network is accepted, it will be given the same status as other important infrastructure projects such as the Forth Replacement Crossing.
Jonathan Hughes, director of conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “A national ecological network will begin to connect isolated patches of habitat across Scotland, allowing wildlife to move more easily through the landscape.”