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Biosphere Communities...standing out from the crowd!

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature. Just as World Heritage sites are cultural or natural landmarks that have been recognised by UNESCO and deemed worthy of preservation due to their universal value to humanity, our UNESCO Biosphere designation is recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way. You could say it is recognition of our regions contribution to sustainable development in both Scotland and the rest of the world.

The Biosphere therefore brings us an opportunity to brand and market the businesses and communities of SW Scotland under the international banner of being a UNESCO Biosphere, a label that really does make us stand out from the rest of the crowd!

Becoming a Biosphere Community is an opportunity for communities to demonstrate and share with visitors the special values of their community that make it worthy of being promoted as a Biosphere destination. Our Biosphere Communities are places where local residents and businesses have committed to being Proud Supporters of the Biosphere and show support for the principles of the charter. They have explored how the Biosphere can help them promote thier community as a destination in the Biosphere where you will be assured of a warm welcome and an opportunity to experience some of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire's hidden gems.

So far we have worked with the communities of Glentrool and Gatehouse of Fleet in helping them develop a webpage for their community featured on the Biosphere Website using the Sense of Place toolkit. and its themes. This winter we will be working with Whithorn down on the Machars who are awaiting the local installation of thier Biosphere Community signs and then we hope to move up into the Glenkens and over into Ayrshire where others are thinking of getting involved.

You can find out more about the Biosphere Communities on our website. Click on the link Biosphere Communities

From East Ayrshire to Italy - UNESCO MaB World Youth Forum

My name is Daisy Whytock and I am the project manager for the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative (CEI), a partnership between the local authority and conservation bodies. I manage a project called ‘Nature Network’ that works with volunteers and local communities to enhance peatland habitat in the Coalfield area of East Ayrshire, which lies within the UNESCO Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve. In September this year I was thrilled to attend the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MaB) Youth Forum in Italy, along with GSA Biosphere’s natural heritage officer Emily Taylor. Along with 300-odd delegates from 92 countries, we took part in workshops and excursions in the PO Delta Biosphere reserve, a special area in the Veneto Province on the north-east coast of Italy. Our collective task was to put together a vision and action plan for engaging youth in Biosphere Reserves around the world and was the focus of two days of intense discussion, sharing experiences and sounding-out ideas. Either side of the workshops we were treated to local culture and a chance to explore the special qualities of the PO Delta, hosted by an impressive number of young Italian volunteers. Aside from having fun and making new friends from around the world, I felt proud to contribute my skills and experiences in developing the MaB Youth action plan. Since returning from Italy I have given further consideration to how the CEI can support youth engagement in our BR, and will improve the way our organisation interacts with the BR team to achieve mutual goals.

Business in the Biosphere

It never fails to amaze the great range of businesses that are within our Biosphere, not only working hard to run their business but working hard to support the region economically, environmentally, and supporting the communities in which they operate.

Our latest ‘Proud Supporters’ signing up to the principles of our Biosphere Charter are wide and varied all offering something unique to this special place. Salad Brew in Borgue is a small company growing fruit and veg using a combination of organic and hydroponic methods to produce tasty and nutritious food. They supply local markets contributing to the food and drink culture in the region. Scroggie Hall Organic Farm in Balmaclellan has been farming Organically for the last 17 years on thier hill farm. Glenquicken Farm Holiday Cottages in Creetown use natural products in the heating of their business and cottages and have installed a wind turbine to supply power to their farm. They carry out farm walks for guests and encourage involvement in farming activities including lambing and hay making.

In Biosphere Community Gatehouse of Fleet Franca Bruno, is not only passionate about the jewellery she sells but is also passionate about promoting the outstanding natural beauty of the area to customers who come into the shop. Tourism businesses Discover Scotland based in Castle Douglas rents out holiday cottages and encourage visitors to the cottages to take care of the environment while enjoying the wildlife that the area has to offer. Whilst Barrhill Holiday Park plan to promote star gazing from the dark skies in their new pods and encourage guests to find out more about the sky at night, and Boot Cottage in Kinkinner source their cottage welcome pack with locally products where possible. and encourage guests to take advantage of their location to visit local heritage sites.

We are pleased to have so many artists and crafts people who are supporters of the Biosphere. Scaur Glen Soaps in Thornhill makers of handmade soaps, bath goodies and fragranced treats use the local environment as inspiration for their soaps, and use regional influences to label them - e.g. 'Galloway Beltie', 'Solway Breeze', Galloway Forest'. Community Interest Company Doon Valley Crafters of Dalmellington specialise in producing heritage crafts and have recently created the official 'Dark Skies' tartan and are making it by traditional hand loom method. In Whithorn the Wee Garden Gallery who also make clocks, actively promote other artists and local B&B's, and in Kirkcowan you'll find the local post office and tea room stocking local products, like ice cream, cheese and local tatties and are always happy to chat to customers to tell them about the great things in the region.

With nearly 100 local businesses signed up as ‘Supporters of the Biosphere’ The more we shout about this special place and our UNESCO Biosphere accolade the more we will put this part of South West Scotland on the map. If you aren't already a Proud Supporter why not? Its free takes only a few minutes and may help you generate ew business opportunities. Sign up by clicking here ‘Proud Supporter’

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