Dalrymple announced as 13th designated ‘Biosphere Community’

The village of Dalrymple in East Ayrshire has this week been announced as the latest addition to the Biosphere Communities scheme, the pioneering sustainable development initiative led by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership.

Dalrymple is the thirteenth community to become part of the scheme and the second in East Ayrshire, following Ochiltree in 2022. Biosphere Communities are located across the UNESCO-designated region, which covers more than 9,700km² and three local authority areas. These villages and towns have an especially close working relationship with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, a charitable organisation with a remit to support conservation, learning, climate resilience and sustainable enterprise. Biosphere Communities are supported to develop nature and heritage projects, and implement low carbon living ideas. They are also promoted as part of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail, the multi award-winning international marketing campaign which takes visitors on a journey between the country’s Biospheres, World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities, and Global Geoparks.

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership was established as a SCIO in 2013 and employs a team of fifteen permanent staff with expertise ranging from biodiversity and nature recovery to funding and business development. As well as the Biosphere Communities scheme, the Partnership hosts a wide range of ongoing initiatives including the Biosphere Certification Mark accreditation for sustainable enterprise, the Biosphere Guides training programme for small business start-ups, and the Sustainable Events Charter, which helps event organisers protect local environments and boost the regional economy. The Partnership’s activity encourages participation among everyone who lives in or visits the UNESCO Biosphere, aiming to build closer connections between people and nature and inspire a better future for all. Many of the existing Biosphere Communities have developed walking trails and leisure itineraries, hosted wildlife recording workshops, and created outdoor interpretation for local landmarks and historic sites. The support available for community-led tourism builds on international attention drawn by features in National Geographic Traveller, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Wanderlust magazine, all of which acclaimed the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere as a must-see destination for eco-conscious travellers in 2024.

Commenting on Dalrymple’s new status as a Biosphere Community, Jenna Cains, Lead Officer for the Biosphere’s Community & Education team, said, “It’s so exciting to be working with residents in and around Dalrymple to explore a sustainable vision for their community and to celebrate the unique heritage of the area with visitors from much further afield. Biosphere Communities is one of our most dynamic initiatives; it’s open-ended and gives everyone, of any age or interest, the chance to get involved. I and my colleagues look forward to helping Dalrymple develop their local vision for people, nature and place over the months and years ahead.”

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish Charity (SC044137) supported by funders including South of Scotland Enterprise, and Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Councils. More information about the organisation or the Biosphere Communities scheme is available by email request to info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.