Explore the SDG Trail in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere!
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is delighted to announce the launch of our SDG Trail, a journey across some of the UNESCO region’s most inspiring sites where local people are working towards global Sustainable Development Goals every day.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a global call to action for sustainable development. They target increased prosperity, reduced inequality, improved health and wellbeing, access to quality education, and protection for life on land and in our oceans. The 17 SDGs are underpinned by targets and indicators, with the aim to achieve all the goals by 2030. While these are widely known as ‘global goals’ for countries all across the world to work towards, the way forward is recognised as a ‘Think Global, Act Local’ approach: individuals and communities leading grassroots action, with our collective small steps making a big difference.
Within our UNESCO Biosphere we’re lucky to have a wide range of local groups (many comprised entirely of volunteers) that are leading creative and dynamic projects that help meet SDG targets and indicators. To create the SDG Trail we chose a site, project, or community organisation to represent each of the 17 goals. At each location we have installed a wall plaque or freestanding post with a QR code that can be scanned with a mobile phone. The QR code takes visitors to a page here on gsabiosphere.org.uk where they can read more about what’s happening at that site, and how it embodies sustainable development. We’ve also included plenty of links to the community groups involved, so that visitors can explore further and to find out about upcoming events or opportunities to get involved. The trail covers each of the three local authority areas that come under the UNESCO designation – South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway, spotlighting projects such as Netherthird Community Garden (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), Kilsture Forest Community Group (SDG 15: Life on Land) and Colmonell community toilets (SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation).
Faith Hillier, Community Officer for the GSA Biosphere Partnership, led on the SDG Trail initiative. Faith said: “It’s been fantastic to work with amazing community projects underway in southwest Scotland, all of which encapsulate the UNESCO Biosphere ethos of creating a better future for people and nature. The SDG Trail provides an opportunity for people of all ages to find out more about Sustainable Development Goals here and around the world, and to connect more closely with life in our rural communities while learning more about the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. The trail also describes the difference it makes to our economy and environments to be a UNESCO-designated area. The SDG posts and plaques appear in a wonderful variety of sites across the Biosphere so make sure to look out for them while out and about.”
You can view a map of all the SDG trail locations that can be found across the region online here. For more information on the SDG Trail, or any of the GSA Biosphere Partnership’s other projects, get in touch with us at info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.
