Celebrating International Day for Biosphere Reserves – 3rd November

Since 2022, November 3rd has been has been designated International Day for Biosphere Reserves. The GSA Biosphere Partnership is joining friends and colleagues around the world in celebrating the recognition this title brings to regions that are so important for conservation, research and sustainable development – and which are so special to the people who live there.

The Man and the Biosphere Programme launched in 1971 and is UNESCO’s oldest intergovernmental scientific programme. UNESCO Biospheres are agents of positive change, pioneering local and international cooperation on the most critical issues of our time, including climate change and biodiversity loss.

To mark International Day for Biosphere Reserves 2024, we are sharing some views on ‘Biosphere life’ from some of the newest recruits to our Partnership Board. All the people you’ll hear from below were appointed trustees this year. They were inspired by a passion for our great outdoors, for our history and heritage, for the rich variety of our enterprise and industry, for protecting our wildlife and habitats, and for helping visitors of all ages explore and discover more about this amazing UNESCO region. Look out for the links which will take you to more information about the projects GSAB’s Trustees are involved in and the places they recommend you to see.

 

Name: Morag Paterson

Role/title: Community volunteer, artist, freelance consultant

Organisation, if applicable (other than GSAB Trustee): Talking Forest, Communities for Diverse Forestry, Forest Policy Group, Dalry Community Council, Glenkens and District Trust, Scottish Woodlots.

How does living and working in a UNESCO Biosphere inspire you? The Biosphere is a hugely inspirational place to live, work, rest and play.  There’s a rich variety of habitats, a strong sense of place and active, vibrant communities across the region.

What motivated you to join the GSAB Partnership Board? There’s a huge amount of potential to do more collaborative work in the area. As well as all the positive aspects I’ve outlined above we do have some serious challenges in the Biosphere region and I’m passionate about being part of a team that takes an imaginative and creative approach to addressing local and regional issues.

How would you encourage others to get involved with the Biosphere? Join the mailing list, find out what events are going on locally and how your community might be able to work with the Biosphere staff. I’d also encourage people to contact them with ideas and suggestions for what the Biosphere could do in the future. 

What’s your favourite place in the Biosphere and why? I really have too many to choose from but the Rhins of Kells across to the Merrick range is very special to me.

What’s the one thing visitors to the Biosphere should experience and enjoy, and why? Wherever you choose to go, take the time to linger and be still, open all your senses and give yourself time to connect. 

What makes you proud of your Biosphere? I’m proud of the rich web of communities and the amount of voluntary time and effort they put in to making the Biosphere a wonderful place to live.

Sum up what the GSA UNESCO Biosphere is or means to you in one word: Home.

 

Name: Iain McDonald

How does living and working in a UNESCO Biosphere inspire you? The respect and appreciation of what we have in Galloway is palpable. The commitment, focus and dedication of the staff inspires me to support and work with GSAB.

What motivated you to join the GSAB Partnership Board? Having been born in , and lived in, Galloway almost all my life enjoying its shores and hills and having a concern for our environment I wished to contribute to an active organisation that had reasonable goals in local development and in sustaining (forgive the pun) the organisation and protecting the Biosphere, helped by my local knowledge.

How would you encourage others to get involved with the Biosphere? Speak to those involved and see what they have achieved, aim to achieve and note their enthusiasm and dedication.

What’s your favourite place in the Biosphere and why? Cardoness Estate. It has been maintained by the owners in a balanced manner mindful of its ambience and natural environment. Walking along the beach when the tide is far out looking in all directions one can ot help but be in awe of  the wonderful surroundings and the amazing features of nature.

What’s the one thing visitors to the Biosphere should experience and enjoy, and why? A wild water group swim. There are several groups in the area. Apart from the health benefits of the swim there is also a great collegiate atmosphere.

What makes you proud of your Biosphere? Its achievements in raising awareness as highlighted by its recent film ‘Heart of the Biosphere – A Year in the Life of Merrick-Kells and Silver Flowe’ which is a ‘must see’ for all and can not help but stimulate a passion for and appreciation of the area.

Sum up what the GSA UNESCO Biosphere is or means to you in one word: Beauty.

 

Name: Emily Gibson

Organisation: University of St Andrews Student

How does living and working in a UNESCO Biosphere inspire you? Growing up in the Biosphere has been a huge influence over my life and passions. It was the availability of nature around me growing up that inspired me to learn more about the biological world, and hopefully, find work within it.

What motivated you to join the GSAB Partnership Board? The motivation for me was the opportunity to learn something new. Being a student of biology, I learn a lot about the scientific world of it all, but I want to learn and understand the world of people acting to make a difference.

What’s your favourite place in the Biosphere and why? My favourite place would have to be Ayrshire, where I grew up, and specifically the small village of Dunure. It is quite a hidden, peaceful part of the Biosphere, with access to woodland, open fields and the coast. The stunning views really make it for me.

What’s the one thing visitors to the Biosphere should experience and enjoy, and why? I would recommend any of the walks throughout the Biosphere. Whether this is a coastal or woodland walk, the stretch throughout the Biosphere and clearly display what makes it so beautiful.

What makes you proud of your Biosphere? The passion of the people. No matter where you go in the Biosphere, you’ll often find that the people are very passionate and protective of where they come from. This passion drives people to protect the different aspects that make where they live.

Sum up what the GSA UNESCO Biosphere is or means to you in one word: Diverse.

 

Name:  Allan Rattray

How does living and working in a UNESCO Biosphere inspire you? The wonderful landscape that I have lived in for nearly 40 years inspires me to “get out there”, usually accompanied by my wife and dogs and/or family.

What motivated you to join the GSAB Partnership Board? I believe the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere is a very special area worth protecting for its environment and cultural heritage.   I hope that by becoming a trustee of the GSAB Partnership, I will have opportunities to contribute to protecting this special place.

How would you encourage others to get involved with the Biosphere? Actually experiencing being part of the Biosphere is important.  The future of the Biosphere will lie with generations to come.  Providing opportunities for young people to experience the natural environment and to learn about the communities within the Biosphere is vital.  Hopefully this will inspire younger people to believe that the Biosphere is worth protecting.  Working as part of a highly motivated team of individuals, bringing different skills, is an exciting prospect that will engage others.

What’s your favourite place in the Biosphere and why? Not an easy one to answer because I love where I live.  An autumn walk at Loch Trool is spectacular.  There is always something to see from the banks of the River Girvan on my daily walk with the dogs (today, two dippers and a kingfisher – amazing).  But I am going to choose Culzean Country Park (especially early in the morning).  I have visited this place since my childhood.  As a regular visitor, you keep in touch with the seasons, and come away feeling relaxed and refreshed – every single visit.

What’s the one thing visitors to the Biosphere should experience and enjoy, and why? If you are able to get out onto our lochs or our coastal waters by kayak or SUP, you should definitely do so.  If not, why not take a boat trip.  You will gain a different perspective  of the area that makes up our wonderful Biosphere.

What makes you proud of your Biosphere? The endless opportunities for a variety of walking and outdoor activities.  There is so much to experience, from mountain tops to coastal villages.  Walking is a great way to meet and chat with people who live and work in the Biosphere.

Sum up what the GSA UNESCO Biosphere is or means to you in one word: Opportunities!

 

Name: Dr Jessica Jones

Role/title: Policy Manager – Marine

Organisation, if applicable (other than GSAB Trustee): Scottish Wildlife Trust

How does living and working in a UNESCO Biosphere inspire you? I am always very inspired by community action, and people coming together to bring about change in their immediate area to benefit their communities and nature. I see a lot of this in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere area, there is a huge amount going on that is making a significant impact!

What motivated you to join the GSAB Partnership Board? Our living seas team have just launched a snorkel trail in South Ayrshire, in collaboration with the Adventure Centre for Education and since developing this trail I have becoming very interested in the beautiful and unique marine area surrounding Galloway and Southern Ayrshire. I’m very interested to hear about and help shape the work of the Biosphere and ensure everyone is complementing each other’s work and together enhancing their impact. Partnership working is really important and seems to be at the heart of what the GSAB does.     

How would you encourage others to get involved with the Biosphere? If you are involved in a local organisation or community group, you can suggest to other members to join the Proud Supporter scheme, which is a brilliant way of showing your support. Or, just going out and enjoying the stunning nature you have on your doorstep!

What’s your favourite place in the Biosphere and why? I love the beach by Dunure Castle where one of our snorkel trails are situated. As well as being right beside some beautiful historic ruins, the snorkel site contains small patches of seagrass, which is a super important habitat for many reasons including being a nursery ground for fish, locking up carbon, and water filtration through their root systems and a myriad of other habitats and species.

What’s the one thing visitors to the Biosphere should experience and enjoy, and why? Adventure Carrick offers many fun activities, including archery, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding, so any one of these are sure to be a memorable experience! I haven’t been yet but I would love to join on a coasteering activity to explore the coastline in an unusual way.

What makes you proud of your Biosphere? The people involved!

Sum up what the GSA UNESCO Biosphere is or means to you in one word: Connected.