A Save the Garden petition signed by almost 11,000 was handed over by campaigners at St Andrews Botanic Garden.
The petition was presented by Bob Mitchell, honorary curator of the garden, to Stephen Magee, vice-principal of St Andrews University, which owns the garden, and Grant Ward, head of leisure and cultural services with Fife Council, who operate it.
An outline business plan, which Friends of the Botanic Garden hope can safeguard the future of the closure-threatened St Andrews attraction, was presented to the university and council last week.
It highlights the beauty and role of the garden and suggests possible revenue streams.
Mr Mitchell said: “The garden has been developed over 123 years by the university, then Fife Council with support from the Friends of the Garden.
“All three organisations wish the garden to continue and to develop under a St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust, who will manage the garden.
“If the business plan passes scrutiny, the three organisations will be actively involved in the trust, with five or seven additional trustees/directors.
“To gauge support, the Friends launched a Save the Garden petition, to which 10,997 responded.
“St Andrews Botanic Garden has a huge outreach to the community, for which the university, council and friends should be justly proud and excited at the prospect of developing its untapped potential with groups and especially, collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society.”
Mr Magee said: “We’re delighted that so many people have expressed support for the garden by signing this petition. If everyone who signed this petition was prepared to donate £10, it would solve the problem at a stroke.
“That, however, is the major challenge facing the Friends, Fife Council and the university how to translate the shared affection for the botanic garden to real and sustainable growth in the numbers of people visiting and using it.
“That will be the crucial element to the garden’s long-term viability.
“We don’t underestimate the scale of that challenge but nor do we underestimate the desire of all three organisations and the determination of supporters to find a sustainable solution.”