Biosphere Certification Mark: Networking at Mill on the Fleet
The GSA Biosphere Partnership’s Business Development team have just hosted our latest Certification Mark networking event. Taking place at the Mill on the Fleet, a Proud Supporter enterprise in the Biosphere Community of Gatehouse of Fleet, this event was a chance for Biosphere-certified business owners to get together and discuss opportunities to share knowledge, collaborate, and explore sustainability issues together in our UNESCO region.
The day kicked off with some wonderful presentations from four of our certified businesses. Dr. Alisha Fuller-Armah from Deer Manor Mushrooms kicked things off with an insight into how gourmet mushrooms are grown here in the Biosphere. The Deer Manor team to learn simulates the ideal conditions that mushrooms would grow in, allowing us to experience the most authentic flavours while ensuring mycorrhizal systems in nature remain undisturbed. Laura Boswell, whose printmaking business in Kirkcudbright was awarded the Certification mark earlier this year, explained how she got started and has managed to achieve a balance between online and in-person activities. Laura also offered some great insights into how collaborating with other local businesses and organisations has been of benefit to everyone involved – keep an eye out for her new projects in the coming months!
Little Peru, one of our newest Biosphere Certification Mark businesses, gave a presentation explaining the background of their alpaca and glamping business in Maybole, and how they have used funding grants to make their business as sustainable as possible. (We’re hoping to meet Javier, Santiago and Diego the alpacas soon!) Finally, attendees heard from Eva Milroy, Skills Development Lead at Dumfries & Galloway College, who explained how sustainable solutions can be implemented across a large business. D&G College’s café and cookery school, Zest on the Stranraer campus, also achieved the Biosphere Certification Mark earlier this year.
Presentations were followed by a fantastic open networking session which gave attendees a chance to catch up on business projects, make new connections and share ideas for future partnerships. All fuelled by a tasty buffet spread provided by Teapots Vegan Catering, a Certification Mark holder who has previously catered Raiders Gravel Festival and our very own Bleat n’ Blether events where members of The Wool Gathering meet. After lunch we were joined by Antoine Lemaire, the GSA Biosphere’s Nature Recovery Officer and a trained Biosphere Guide who runs Alouette Nature Tours across the GSA Biosphere region from a base at Moniaive. Antoine led a walk around The Ship Inn’s outdoor space, discussing how even in businesses we can make positive changes to help benefit nature, from leaving areas of grass unmown to support invertebrate and avian life, to planting hedges that connect natural habitats – ‘wildlife corridors’ that can help important local species travel and expand their range.
The GSA Biosphere Partnership is delighted to facilitate networking among local businesses of all sizes and sectors, as well as social enterprise and community development trusts. Our offer includes business development support, learning workshops, advice from specialist officers working in land use and biodiversity, and the opportunity to connect with national and international marketing campaigns such as Scotland’s UNESCO Trail. All the above is entirely free to access and we endeavour to make it available in-person and online. We also run a specific accreditation scheme for Sustainable Events which recognises the work involved in making entertainment and culture good for communities, nature, and our region’s economy.
If you run a business in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and would like to find out more and apply for the Biosphere Certification Mark scheme, you can find out more about the application process here. Alternatively, get in touch with us at info@gsabiosphere.org.uk to arrange a call with a member of our team.
