Greetings to all our friends across the Biosphere and beyond! 'In like a lion, out like a lamb' is the theory, weather-wise, for March. Since the lion end of things was a bit of everything - frost, stiff breezes and going-out-coatless level sunshine, we're not quite sure what to expect from the end of the month!
Between our monthly updates, don't forget you can contact any of our team at info@gsabiosphere.org.uk and find us on social media via the links at the bottom of this page.
Our photos were taken on a beautiful spring walk near Corsock on the first weekend of March. The river is the Urr Water, which travels for 35 miles from Loch Urr to join the Solway Firth at Rough Firth. On the right...it's catkin season! Catkins help trees reproduce by releasing pollen into those very assertive spring breezes mentioned above. Countryfile has a useful guide on how to identify catkins (especially useful when the trees don't have any leaves). We think these belong to a hazel tree - do you agree?
Our Periodic Review survey is running now and we are keen to gather as many responses as possible before it closes on 27 March. The survey is not very long, none of the questions are compulsory, but it is incredibly important: the answers we receive become part of our ten-year report back to UNESCO and will help steer our work in the years ahead. If you haven't already taken part please click through via the link in the blue box below - any and all feedback is gratefully received.
This request is supported by the pleading eyes of our Biosphere Beagle, pictured at Douglas Park in Newton Stewart where she went to help the Newton Stewart Initiative and local residents celebrate the opening of the new path circuit which was built by a team of young volunteers. Here the BB is inspecting the mountain bike track - another community-led project which created a fantastic new local facility for sport and exercise.
The Biosphere Certification Mark scheme is open now for applications, with a deadline of 31st May. Now in its fourth year, this regional initiative recognises all the hard work Biosphere businesses are doing in the name of sustainability. Our Business Development team offers sustainability advice, marketing support and networking opportunities, while being Biosphere-certified connects you with the global UNESCO brand. There is no cost involved in becoming certified and we are running an online information session on 17 March for anyone who would like to know more. If you'd like to sign up, or if you can't make that date but still want to have a chat, please email marie@gsabiosphere.org.uk who will happily get this arranged.
Pictured below are the delighted owners of two of our most recently certified businesses: Beth and Dave from Glentrool Holiday Cottage and Team Parsons from Gallovidia Booksin Kirkcudbright. Please do check out the links to find out how they are supporting the environment, community, local enterprise and education in our amazing Biosphere.
On 4th March Mary, our Land Use Advice Officer, visited Balsar Glen for a workshop organised by D&G Sustainable Food Partnership's Regenerative Farming Network. Here's Mary's report on her day...
"Hosted by father-daughter team Heather and Philip Close, land managers were invited to see how Balsar Glen’s mob grazing system works… and my oh my what a day it was! Phillip has been farming at Balsar Glen since 2010 and they have a herd of Aberdeen Angus and Anxiety Herefords. At first glance you might think this is farming for beef, but equally important here is SOIL farming. This system of grazing has boosted microbial health which is key to creating resilient landscapes and locking away carbon – as well as growing the all-important grass and herbs that feed the cattle. Heather and Philip take huge pride in promoting soil health and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Getting a chance to see the cattle in action, having a dig around and doing earthworm counts as well as discussing the benefits, successes and challenges mob grazing brings offered an inspiring insight into the hard work being undertaken at Balsar Glen."
We are delighted to be supporting Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink again in 2022 as this celebration of gastronomic imagination returns to an in-person event. The festival will be taking place on the weekend of 11 - 12 June and there are still places available for food and drink businesses to book a stall or schedule a workshop, tasting or demonstration. You do not have to be based within the Biosphere (or even South Ayrshire!) to take part. Among this year's confirmed attendees are Pure Roasters Coffee, Everything Chilli, Oishii, Reggaelicious Food Truck, and The Bullish Coffee Company - with plenty more to be announced. Please email ballantraefestival@gmail.com for more details on how to get involved.
A wee video bonus for anyone still scrolling! Esther, our Business Engagement Officer and Doodler Extraordinaire, went out to test the new Donald Watson Art Trail around the Glenkens, guided by our good friend Nick from Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. Click the image above to join them in the hills around Dalry.
Finally...a warm welcome to all the individuals, businesses and community groups that have signed up as Proud Supporters of our UNESCO Biosphere recently. The amount of support for people, nature and Global Goals is amazing and everyone on Team GSAB firmly believes it demonstrates how southwest Scotland can be a model of better living for other regions and communities at home and abroad. Our newest Proud Supporters include peat- and plastic-free florist Halfmoon Gardens in the Machars, coastline clean-up volunteers ONUS SW Scotland, luxury boutique hotel Knockinaam Lodge, and The Way Forward 2045 - a management consultancy creating new and sustainable business approaches for the leaders of tomorrow.
