With Christmas almost upon us we're sending our very warmest seasonal wishes to you from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere team.
We took this photo recently at Sandheadin the Rhins of Galloway - part of the GSA Biosphere since July this year! Beyond the cute Shetland pony is Balgreggan Motte, the raised site of a medieval wooden castle.
Between mailouts do follow us on social media - links are at the bottom of this page. Any feedback on our features, or is there something you'd like to know more about? Contact our team via info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
Anyone following GSAB's social platforms and Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear will have heard that we concluded a successful fundraising campaign earlier this month. The four-week Crowdfunder raised a total of £13,292 which will be used to put our business plan into action, with further product development, photography, and an online sales platform. Huge thanks to all who donated and shared the campaign, also to everyone who participated in Merrick's launch, particularly to The Vault Arts Centre at Newton Stewart for giving their wonderful space as a shoot venue, photographer Phil Wilkinson for coming out to Knocktinkle AND Edinburgh on two of the coldest days of the year, and to Fiona and Robert Gilligan who welcomed us to the midst of their Scottish Blackface flock.
We celebrated sustainable tourism and the unparalleled visitor experience that's on offer here in the GSA Biosphere region as the results of the 2023 Scottish Thistle Awards were announced at the beginning of December. The Thistles are the benchmark for excellence in the visitor experience nationwide and we're beyond proud that GSAB's Chair, Melanie Allen, won the prestigious Tourism Individual of the Year,and the award for Best B&B or Guesthouse Experience for Nithbank Country Estate in Thornhill, a Biosphere-certified business which Melanie runs with her husband John. Congratulations to all winners in the South of Scotland Thistle Awards during 2023, the first year this amazing region has been recognised in its own right.
The Biosphere's AGM took place in Stranraer on 8th December followed by a special Year in Review event in which we welcomed local residents, business owners and community leaders to join us in a look back at the team's highlights of 2023. Special thanks to Biosphere Proud Supporters Dumfries & Galloway College for hosting our team, partnership board and guests, not least for the wonderful meal at Zest, which is staffed by DGC's catering and hospitality students. We'll be posting more of our favourite moments of 2023 during the festive break so do follow us on Facebook - we'd love to hear how you connected with the GSA Biosphere this year.
Grassroots regeneration continues to go from strength to strength in our UNESCO Biosphere with Nith Life as a leading example. An informal workshop was held this month at Cample Line near Thornhill with the GSA Biosphere, the University of Manchester and the UK National Commission for UNESCO in which attendees heard about some of the findings from recent workshops in communities along the river. Nith Life welcomes new members - no expertise is required, simply an interest in creating a positive future for people and nature in the Nith catchment. Find out more about how to get involved via the link.
With a few dates in our diary already we're looking forward to the Biosphere's 2024 event programme. First up is the final D&G instalment of our Creatives & Sustainability series, which we're hosting in partnership with D&G arts development organisation Upland. Whatever stage your creative business has reached please do consider joining us in Wigtown on 17th January. Free to attend and bookable via the link below.
Our team have been working with the Coalfield Communities Landscape Partnership, Muirkirk Media, and the New Cumnock Development Trusts ReUse Hub to deliver the Capturing Climate Schools project in East Ayrshire. Pictured below is Faith, GSAB's Community Officer, with pupils at Netherthird Primary who are using Ketso, a brilliantly inclusive engagement tool developed by the University of Manchester. Do take a look at our feature linked below which includes a video on what Capturing Climate Schools is all about.
We're excited to have the first two Sense of Place workshops in our calendar for 2024, on 15th January at Moniaive and 17th January atKirkcolm. All welcome - just turn up. This is your opportunity as a local resident to hear more about our Biosphere Communities scheme and (if you wish) to share what you cherish most about your own community and the landscape and heritage around. Read more about the places that have already connected with the GSA Biosphere via the link below. Any questions? Email our Community Officer via faith@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
It's been a busy start for the D&G Climate Hub following a wide-ranging outreach programme encouraging community groups to apply for seed funding worth up to £1,000. A fantastic diversity of applications were received, representing the remarkable creativity and climate consciousness across the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway. Meanwhile the Hub has supported Home Energy Scotland at its Warmer Home events and participated in Propagate's popular Local Food Gatherings through November. The team is also preparing materials to help communities conduct consultations on Local Place Plans. More on the D&G Climate Hub via the button below.
Don't forget - whatever your resolutions for 2024, the GSA Biosphere has something for you! Explore Adventures in Nature for ideas on where to go and what to see if you're aiming to spend more time outdoors. Biosphere Guides and Self-Guided Discoveries are a great choice for special events, bespoke experiences, or a deeper dive into the landscapes, heritage and culture of this UNESCO region. The Biosphere Certification Mark is a fantastic sustainability goal for businesses of all sizes (and our team is here to support you all the way). And we have countless free learning opportunities available for groups, organisations, schools, and more. Contact us at any time for more info or to arrange a visit or a chat: info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
Finally...a warm welcome to all the individuals, businesses and community groups that have signed up as Proud Supporters of our UNESCO Biosphere recently. They include eco-friendly wellbeing enterprise the Mindful Soap Bar in Stranraer, ARPL Architects based in Ayr, and hiking and travel blog (and vlog!) K&J's Mini Adventure. The commitment of local people to sustainability is amazing and everyone on Team GSAB firmly believes it demonstrates how southwest Scotland can be a model of better living for communities at home and abroad.
