The Coronation weekend saw a lot of outdoor fun in villages and towns across the Biosphere region. Jenna, who leads our Community & Education team, spent Sunday afternoon hosting the GSAB stand in New Galloway's picnic in the park. Look out for Jenna and the rest of our staff at other events through spring and summer - there's plenty in our calendar to come. Special mention to the Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink, the annual gastronomic extravaganza that takes place in one of our Biosphere Communities. The festival will have been and gone before our next newsletter goes out - our team will be there on 10th - 11th June, do stop by our stand and say hi.
Don't forget that you can always catch up with 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.
Team GSAB is excited to be recruiting again as our programme continues to grow. We're looking for a Nature Recovery Officer and Business Engagement Officer, full-time roles with a hybrid working arrangement. Closing date for both is Friday 19th May. Full job descriptions and guidelines for applicants via the link below and to entice you further, here's a photo of our Director Ed and Deputy Marie having fun at Biosphere Bikes last month.
International knowledge-exchange is just one of the things that UNESCO Biospheres undertake, and we were delighted to welcome a delegation from Sweden's seven Biosphere Reserves at the end of April. (Extra special as the first time we've been able to arrange an international visit since before the pandemic.) Please do click through below for our report on the two-day whirlwind tour of GSAB staff put together for our guests! Below a page from one of Vattenriket's guidebooks; 'castle in the wetlands' made us think of Threave.
Our Biosphere-wide nature recording project TheBiosphere's Most Wanted has more workshop dates available to book for Ochiltree, Thornhill, and Gatehouse of Fleet. These events are family-friendly and a lot of fun as we hear from project lead Malcolm about some fascinating local species before heading outdoors armed with our iNaturalist apps! Book free via the link below or email malcolm@gsabiosphere.org.uk to reserve your place. The lovely bug below is Eupeodes corollae, the migrant hoverfly; pic by Malcolm while out nature recording.
The Biosphere Certification Mark is open for applications until the end of this month: Proud Supporter businesses, don't delay to apply! Our certification mark is a trademarked accreditation scheme that's open to businesses located in the GSA Biosphere region and entirely free to join. As well as recognising your work to embed sustainability in your business, certification brings marketing and networking opportunities plus access to Biosphere branding, collaborative projects and member events. If you'd like to have an informal chat about applying, get in touch with marie@gsabiosphere.org.uk. Pic shows Stewart from Gallovidia Books in Kirkcudbright with his Biosphere Certification Mark award.
We've been invited to host ScotlandHour at the end of the month - please join us on Twitter on Wednesday 31st May between 9-10pm for a live discussion on the theme of slow tourism. Our co-host will be outdoor writer and photographer Rebecca on the Wing whose website is well worth some of your time. More about ScotlandHour via the link below; do get involved as it's all about Q&A, current issues, opinions, ideas, and making connections! #ScotlandHour to follow the chat on Twitter at any time. One reason to go slow: more time to enjoy Dalcairney Falls. Thanks to Dalmellington Recovery Group for introducing us to this very special place.
If you're looking for something special to do in the warmer weather (or indeed at any time) take a look at our Shared Passions page linked below. These are brand new collaborations between Biosphere Guides and Biosphere Certification Mark businesses, who have worked together to create some really special and immersive experiences - and as with all our local activities and attractions, these are not just for tourists! More Shared Passions will be added through the year so do bookmark the page and check back. Photo courtesy Paul Osborne/The Biking Explorers, one of our Shared Passions providers based at Girvan.
Our team are extremely proud to have been nominated to enter the Scottish Thistle Awards for the second year in a row, having won the regional Working Together for Tourism award in 2022. For the first time there's a distinct category for the South of Scotland and look forward to seeing some Biosphere businesses among the winners again. Nostalgic capture (cr. Chris Watt Photography) from the Glasgow ceremony, where we shared a table with Galloway Activity Centre/Loch Ken Eco-Bothies, Galloway Cycling Holidays and the Mull of Galloway Trust.
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 Wigtown children's bookshop Foggle Toddle Books, plant paradise Logan Botanic Garden, vegan food enterprise Teapots Catering, Whithorn growers The Plant Farm, pioneering local news network DGWGO, exploration info hub Gillian's Walks, modular home creators The Wee House Company, heritage learning organisation Whithorn ReBuild, inclusive active travel provider Southwest Scotland Cycle Training, craft ale maestros Five Kingdoms Brewery, and off-grid South Ayrshire getaway Scotts Pods, community group the Loch Doon Association, the new Town Hall at Whithorn, and Closeburn Orchard Community Garden. 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 other regions and communities at home and abroad.
