Greetings to all our friends across the Biosphere and beyond! We have a lot going on during May so grab a snack (and your diary) and get comfy.
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 chosen photos were taken when our Director, Ed, and our land use and biodiversity team went along to view river restoration work on the Nith near New Cumnock at the end of April. Led by SEPA this project had several objectives: to restore the natural morphology of a canalised stretch of river, promote riparian biodiversity, and reduce flooding risk on surrounding farmland. We were especially pleased to meet local people who are exploring what can be done at a community level to support the Nith's precious habitats and raise awareness of the river's historic connection with life and industry in the region.
We are thrilled to announce that The Wool Gathering, our Biosphere-wide initiative to promote local wool, has won funding support from the Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association. With the association's backing we will be able to progress to creating prototype designs of woollen outerwear using Blackface wool sourced from within the Biosphere (thanks to British Wool for their help in this), and to exploring potential markets for sale. This is huge news for a project that brings together members of the farming community, business owners and local creatives; we are incredibly grateful to the Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association for joining us in this journey. The association's President, Alec Telfer, is pictured below with our Chair Mel Allen and Marie McNulty, our Business Development lead.
We are currently recruiting for two newly-created Development Roles designed to provide valuable work experience and professional development to young people/early career applicants. These are full time, 12-month posts in which Successful candidates will have the opportunity to help define their own roles within the Biosphere organisation: choosing whether to work with one of our specialist teams or rotate between all of them. Applicants must be aged over 18 yrs but we welcome a diversity of educational and work backgrounds. Access to own transport is essential as both posts will involve a mix of home and office working with additional travel across the Biosphere region. Closing date for applications is 31st May 2022. Typical team meeting pictured below!
Biosphere Footsteps is our new series of climate literacy sessions for Biosphere Communities, beginning with Ochiltree, Whithorn and Ballantrae. Our aim is to bring local people together to discuss how we can support each other in living more sustainably, for example by saving energy and reducing waste. Biosphere Footsteps will be informal and interactive and there is no charge to attend. We're currently collating a mailing list for these first three communities and sessions will begin in late spring/early summer; if you'd like to register your interest please email jenna@gsabiosphere.org.uk stating which location you're in.
We are proud to be members of D&G Sustainable Food Partnership, which unites producers, communities, and multi-sector organisations in work to achieve fair systems which provide healthy local food for all. The partnership runs an ongoing programme of in-person and online events, including this month a Farm Walk near Kirkcudbright and the next in the series of Chef's Sessions, which will discuss the opportunities and challenges in sourcing sustainable fish. Visit their page on Eventbrite (linked below) for tickets and do take a look at the Regenerative Farming Network and the ever-evolving Community Food Map.
The first of this year's two application windows for the Biosphere Certification Mark is open now until 31st May. Proud Supporter businesses are invited to apply for this trademarked quality scheme which offers marketing and networking opportunities alongside sustainability support from our team. Please contact marie@gsabiosphere.org.uk for more details or to schedule a chat. Pictured is Mel Allen, Chair of the GSA Biosphere's Partnership Board, holding the plaque that is awarded to Biosphere-certified businesses - something to proudly display in your customer-facing locations.
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 Nature Study Ltd - Cat Coulson Art and Carrick Coastal Honey. Please do check out our Proud Supporters map below to see everyone! One of the highlights for our team is catching up with Proud Supporters old and new at community events, often quite unexpectedly (waves to Hidden Garden!).
