We're delighted to announce the latest awards of the Biosphere Certification Mark, which recognises outstanding work in sustainable business. Our panel made three new awards in February, and renewed certification for three businesses that had already held the Certification Mark for three years. The GSA Biosphere has now certified more than fifty businesses in seven sectors, all based within the UNESCO Biosphere and all actively supporting community, biodiversity, and a greener economy. Huge congratulations to all. Find out all about the awardees via the blue button below.
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Two new Biosphere Communities have been announced since our last newsletter went out. Sanquhar becomes our first in Nithsdale, while Pinwherry and Pinmore are jointly designated as part of the scheme. Residents in both areas took part in a Sense of Place workshop and created a destination page for gsabiosphere.org.uk. which include some fantastic photographs taken by local people. Below are just two of our favourites: winter light over the River Nith, and a glorious South Ayrshire sunset over the Pins. If this is your part of the world look out for upcoming workshops and other public events and make sure you're following #gsabiosphere on social media. Much more on our Biosphere Communities via the blue button below.
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In very exciting news, the GSA Biosphere is one of the first Scottish tourism experiences to be live on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map! We’ve worked with VisitScotland and TourismCares to highlight meaningful travel experiences in our amazing part of Scotland, so that the travel trade can incorporate experiences that positively impact the local community and environment in their itineraries and programmes. Our Biosphere Guides, tour and experience providers, nature-friendly hospitality and accommodation are a perfect fit for the map, illustrated below by Biosphere Certification Mark business Swim the Lochs. Dive into meaningful travel via the link!
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Thanks to everyone who came along to our Castle Douglas Pop-Up Hub this week which ran over three days with evening events. A Sense of Place session explored what we love about CD and the area around and local interest in becoming a Biosphere Community. And we were delighted to have with us Lauren Doyle, Circular Economy Officer with South of Scotland Enterprise. Lauren and our Business Development team were joined by Jonathan from Biosphere-certified The Ship Inn at Gatehouse of Fleet and local business owners for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of maximising sustainability, including clever ways to reduce, reuse and recycle in all business sectors. If you couldn't make it but would like to connect, drop us a line via info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
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Subscribers and wool fans will recall that we held a crowdfunding campaign at the end of 2023, raising money to launch Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear, a social enterprise that uses 100% Blackface wool sourced here in the UNESCO Biosphere region to create luxury garments that will last a lifetime. Production of our first full range is well underway and Crowdfunder Rewards are heading out in the post, with skeins of Merrick Scottish Blackface wool among the first to go out. Here's our wee mascot (new to the team) modelling the skeins which have been ordered by knitters across the UK, Europe, and even the United States! If you're new, there's a potted history of GSAB's Blackface wool pilot via the button below, and you can join in the conversation in our public Facebook group.
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We've been working with multiple partners in South Ayrshire on the Green Health app, which has brought in expertise from South Ayrshire Council's Ranger Service and NHS Ayrshire and Arran, as well as many other third sector partners. Any outdoor, nature-focused activity and/or wellbeing group or organisation is warmly invited to have a listing on the Green Health app - it's completely free and will help share what you do with potential members and perhaps recruit some new volunteers. To find out more or request a listing please email Ayrshire_NaturalHealth@nature.scot and do share far and wide - many groups are dormant over winter and start up again during spring. The Green Health Calendar launched on March 1st - it's really lovely. Check it out at the link below. (Photo: Barr Trails - a great place for wellbeing walks and cycle rides.)
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A true privilege to be part of the SCOTO - Scottish Community Tourism National Gathering & Learning Exchange in Dumfries on 29th February. Our team joined colleagues from organisations and community groups across the country and were especially pleased to be talking dark skies with our sister UNESCO Biosphere at Wester Ross! GSAB's Chair and SCOTO's Vice Chair, Melanie Allen, is pictured at the podium below, and in case you haven't seen it before please do take a look at our Visitor Charter via the link, we centre the ethos of 'living local' and hope it is uplifting and inspiring! (Feel free to share!)
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We're running a joint marketing campaign with VisitScotland through winter/spring 2024 spreading the word of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire's National Geographic Traveller Cool List accolade. Keep an eye on our Explore page (linked below) which is updated each month with some of the coolest and most unique Biosphere Experiences. February's theme was dark skies, this month we're celebrating spring and the reawakening of our UNESCO Biosphere. And don't forget: we're always delighted to hear about your favourite places, days out, and discoveries - especially if you see/hear any black grouse as per this beautiful image from wildlife photographer Iain Leach! Share with us on social media using the hashtag #gsabiosphere.
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