Last month's newsletter seems an age away, with Christmas, Hogmanay, and multiple weather-related challenges having passed in the interim. Our best wishes to all our subscribers for warm homes, safe travelling and crisp outdoor adventures in the weeks of winter that are still to come.
For regular updates on ongoing projects, find us on social media via the links 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.
We have already spotted the first snowdrops of 2023 - this photo was taken by one of our team at Durisdeer Parish Church, a historic graveyard in the north of the Biosphere. Fun fact: James IV stayed at Durisdeer in 1497 while on pilgrimage to Whithorn.
We're delighted to announce the appointment of the Biosphere's new Land Use & Biodiversity Lead Officer, Sara Press, pictured below with our Director Ed Forrest. Sara's expertise includes environmental planning and management, and here her role will be to take our many strategic projects and partnerships forward in support of nature restoration and climate resilience, in particular through supporting High Focus species, regenerative farming and sustainable food. Details of all our staff are via the link below, and Sara is directly reachable at sara@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
The development of the Biosphere's new office hub at St John's Town of Dalry will be moving forward through 2023 and we are hosting our first community drop-in session at the Town Hall between 2pm - 8pm on Wednesday 8th February. Local residents are invited to come along to meet architects from Prospus Group, interpretation experts from Bright, and members of the Biosphere team, and view some of the potential plans for the Underhill site, pictured below. If you can't make it in person, input/feedback is welcome at any time either directly to us (info@gsabiosphere.org.uk) or via St john's Town of Dalry Community Council (sjtdalrycc@gmail.com).
As Proud Supporter and Biosphere Certification Mark businesses well know, it's never too early to start planning our welcome for visitors coming to southwest Scotland to explore the Biosphere and journey along Scotland's UNESCO Trail. Alongside our partners in destination marketing we are keen to ensure tourism remains a force for good, and with that goal in mind we have launched the Biosphere Visitor Charter. Please do take a look via the link below. If you are working in leisure or hospitality and would like to utilise the charter, it is available to download and print via the Resources section on our website.
We're looking forward to the inaugural Fantastic Forest Festival which launches later this month. The programme was put together by our friends at Galloway Glens and includes a whole host of amazing partners including artists Leeming & Paterson, the Watson Bird Project, Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, Communities for Diverse Forestry and the South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre. Our own Project Support Officer, Malcolm Haddow, will be leading a wildlife walk and nature recording taster session on Saturday 4th February in the Biosphere Community of St John's Town of Dalry; bring your mobile phones with the iNaturalist app downloaded in advance, or just bring yourself and find out more about it on the day. Among other things you'll learn is whether the squirrel below is red or grey!
In recognition that this is a hugely difficult time for individuals, families, communities and businesses, here's a repeat of last month's section on where to find help with the cost of living crisis and staying warm and fed during freezing weather.
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 the family-run Cairndale Hotel & Leisure Club in Dumfries (look out for their stargazing offer available now, with one of our Biosphere Guides); worker-led sustainable food collective Propagate; CRAG Community Arts in Girvan; videography innovators and content creators Epic Sky Media; Trailskills mountain bike coaching and guiding; South Ayrshire feltmaker Made With Fluff Fibrecrafts; and The Book Warren near Sanquhar, selling new and vintage books, maps, and book-related gifts.
