Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere An exploration

1
Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere An exploration

• Andy Rowland
• Dyfi Biosphere Partnership ecodyfi
• 20 September 2008

2
Who are we?

• The Dyfi Biosphere Partnership represents a
  variety of bodies from the public, private and
  community sectors, coordinating the Biosphere
  process
• Ecodyfi is a locally-controlled independent
  group, working for the sustainable community
  regeneration of the Dyfi Valley
• Ecodyfi delivers the community engagement process
  on behalf of the Dyfi Biosphere Partnership

3
What are Biosphere Reserves?

• "sites of excellence to foster harmonious
  integration of people and nature for sustainable
  development through participation, knowledge,
  well-being, cultural values and societys ability
  to cope with change, thus contributing to the
  Millennium Development Goals.

UNESCO would like Biosphere areas to "innovate
and demonstrate approaches to conservation and
sustainable development at a local level".
4
What are Biosphere Reserves?

• areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine
  ecosystems or a combination thereof, which are
  internationally recognized within the framework
  of UNESCO's Programme on Man and the Biosphere
  (MAB)

Biosphere areas are sometimes described as
learning sites for sustainable development
5
Scope / subject matter

• The Dyfi Biosphere Partnership recognises that
  Biosphere status is possible only because of the
  existing high natural value of specific habitats,
  but we are committed to treating the cultural
  riches of the area with the same respect as the
  natural assets.

Modern Biospheres explore how local people can
benefit from protecting the things they value
local knowledge, language and culture as well as
the local and global environment.
6
Integrated rural development at a landscape scale

• Biosphere Reserves used to be conservation
  biodiversity designations
• Now they focus on sustainable development
• 507 in the world, with a huge variation in size
• 9 in the UK
• Only 1 of these has been re-registered under
  modern criteria (North Devon)
• 1 in Wales the Dyfi (under old criteria)

7
Three complementary functions

• a conservation function, to preserve genetic
  resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes
• a development function, to foster sustainable
  economic and human development, and
• a logistic support function, to support
  demonstration projects, environmental education
  and training, and research and monitoring related
  to local, national and global issues of
  conservation and sustainable development.

8
Vision

• The Dyfi Biosphere will be recognised and
  respected internationally, nationally and locally
  for the diversity of its natural beauty, heritage
  and wildlife, and for its peoples efforts to
  make a positive contribution to a more
  sustainable world. It will be a self confident,
  healthy, caring and bilingual community,
  supported by a strong locally-based economy.

9
Proposed objectives (1)

• Taking advantage of help and advice from UNESCO
  and other Biosphere Reserves across the world
• Keeping and improving the area as a great place
  to bring up children and creating more
  opportunities for them to stay here
• Placing a greater value on our natural
  environment and on Welsh language culture
• Voluntarily increase activity in nature
  conservation, for example in controlling invasive
  species or in creating wildlife corridors

10
Proposed objectives (2)

• Coordinating mechanisms that encourage discussion
  and agreement between people between
  initiatives, including education training
• A more self-reliant local economy less dependent
  on fossil fuel, with growth driven by local
  knowledge and resources
• A more sustainable area with residents and
  visitors choosing locally-produced goods more
  often and reducing our impact on the world
• Using the UNESCO Biosphere brand to promote the
  quality of local agricultural other products
  and tourism experiences both in the UK and
  internationally.

11
Can it stop developments?

• No statutory force its a pact between those
  concerned and the rest of society
• Voluntary at the landscape level does the
  community want it?
• Voluntary at land manager level what
  agreements are mutually advantageous?
• Conservation features are safeguarded by existing
  legislation. The Biosphere will not bring any
  extra legislative protection.
• But planners may take it into consideration?

12
Zonation (1)
13
Zonation (2)

• Core Zone managed for biodiversity.
  International protection (SAC, SPA, Ramsar)
• Buffer Zone managed to protect Core while
  providing income. National protection (SSSI,
  National Park, AONB)
• Transition Area (Zone of co-operation) some
  agri-environment schemes but this zone includes
  whole community, so is not just about managing
  the land in question

14
Cores

• Zone of cooperation
• Geographical inclusion and
• Inclusion through involvement

15
(No Transcript)
16
Opportunity rather than threat

• Action plan being constructed
• Requires businesses etc to propose activities
  that can flourish under this umbrella e.g.
• Developing markets for land management practices
  that deliver environmental benefits
• Adding value to local resources
• Re-localisation of the economy
• Connecting production consumption

17
Dyfi Process

• Current area doesnt meet modern criteria
• Community involved in deciding whether to ask
  UNESCO to re-register under modern criteria
• Partnership decided there is sufficient support
• Application made to UNESCO Spring 2008
• Final decision by UNESCO early 2009
• Delicate development of project proposals and
  light touch coordination mechanisms

18
Bringing people together

• Tourism
• Education (and training)
• Information and interpretation
• Research
• Energy
• Land management

19
Some climate change issues

• Rising sea levels coastal defence/adaptation
• Rising sea levels impacts on estuarine/bog
  habitats
• Peat health agriculture (Cors Fochno uplands)
• Emitting less carbon energy use production
• Emitting less carbon transport, food etc
• Fuel poverty and housing condition
• Information awareness raising

20
Some cultural dimensions

• Lack of cohesion is this just for the greenies?
• Attitudes/values self reliance, consumerism,
  change, responsibility and capacity
• Land management family farms, maximising food
  production vs ecosystem services
• Language connecting to land
• Sense of place
• The arts to convey messages involve people

21

• dyfibiosphere.org.uk
• lyfidyfi.com