Five board members from the local community are being sought for the Cairngorms National Park Authority board.
Nomination papers were published yesterday, while leaflets and information packs for those wishing to stand as candidates, or vote in the upcoming elections are being delivered to homes throughout the park authority area from today.
Five board members are directly elected by residents in the Cairngorms National Park area, serving for a period of four years.
The local board members serve alongside seven people who are appointed by the five local authorities covering the park area, and a further seven directly appointed by Scottish Government Ministers.
Cairngorms National Park Authority, chief executive Grant Moir explained: “As staff, we look to the board for guidance and strategic direction and members are involved with a number of committees helping to deliver the Park Authority’s three main areas of work, conservation, visitor experience and rural development.
“Anyone can stand for election and my advice to any potential new board members would be that they need to be prepared to not only consider the park’s communities when carrying out their duties but consider our responsibility to the people of Scotland to look after this special place.”
The deadline for nominations is Wednesday February 13 with ballot papers landing on doorsteps from the end of February, with votes to be cast by Thursday March 21.