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Business Connection
Local business supporters of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Charter where invited along to a Dark Skies star gazing experience at Kirroughtree in the Galloway Forest. The evening was an opportunity for businesses to make connections and share how their business is supporting the sustainable principles of the Biosphere.
Opening Introduction to the event was given by Joan Mitchell – Chair of Biosphere Partnership, followed by the first viewing of the Social Enterprise in the Biosphere Film and a talk by Chris Saunders of ACE, a local Ayrshire business that was featured in it. The evening was dedicated to making connections. Businesses shared their experiences of operating in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, how they support the principles of the Biosphere and reap the benefits from it. The businesses then had an opportunity to go outside and look up at the night sky under the guidance of a Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger and enjoy a Dark Sky experience. The evening then closed with businesses sharing what makes Galloway and Southern Ayrshire special; the best places to go for tranquillity, recreation and enjoyment, culture and heritage, wildlife and natural beauty, local produce and last but not least where to go to be inspired!
A film of the event can be seen here.
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New Cumnock Walks
East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative (CEI) have produced a booklet featuring the network of paths in New Cumnock. The booklet provides information about paths that are accessible from the community garden located in the centre of New Cumnock providing access to the local environment for residents and visitors. The network of paths provide opportunities to see wildlife and contribute to the health of the local community.
Find out more about Wildlife and natural beauty in the Biosphere here.
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Biosphere Charter
Ayrshire Bed & Breakfast Association, locally known as ABBA is one of our latest proud supporters of the Biosphere. ABBA is a network of 50 B&B’s and guest house establishments in Ayrshire and Arran who work together to encourage people to visit Ayrshire and ensure they enjoy their stay.
ABBA supports the local economy not only by collaborating with other B&B’s and guest houses but by recommending local restaurants and using local produce on menus for guests wherever possible. Members are happy to share their knowledge of the local area with guests and what it has to offer, whether it be culture and heritage, walks and trails and parks, always ensuring vistors get the best experience.
Find out more about the Biosphere Charter here.
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More Water Vole Survey Training
A training day was recently held for the Water Vole survey project for volunteers that is running within the Biosphere this year, in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resources Centre (DGERC). The training day was a great success with the 24 participants learning about wildlife recording in the Biosphere, signs to look for when surveying for Water Vole, how to carry out the survey and health and safety issues. A demonstration was given of the COBWEB app (developed by Edinburgh University for Biospheres) that surveyors can use for recording Water Vole. The afternoon was spent at a site known to support Water Vole, looking at suitable habitats and finding some burrows, giving the participants some practical field experience. The day was such a success that another training day will be organised in the near future, if you would like to take part contact Wendy on; wendy@gsabiosphere.org.uk
Water Voles are one of the nine High Focus species selected as great importance and concern within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Find out more about the other High Focus species and habitats here.
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