We are incredibly lucky to be
located right in the heart of the beautiful
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Unesco Biosphere - a UNESCO
designated area where we value and protect the world class
environment we live in. We love to tell our guests all about
what makes this place so special and magical!
We are proud to have been
awarded the
Biosphere Certification Mark, which recognises exemplars in
local sustainable enterprise. Biospheres are the only
internationally recognised "badge" for demonstrating excellence
in sustainable development.
What is a Biosphere?
A Biosphere is a special
designation awarded by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It means that
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been
recognised internationally as a world class environment for
people and nature.
The UNESCO Biosphere
designation recognises the fantastic array of landscapes,
wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that our
area offers for communities, businesses and visitors to
experience and celebrate in a sustainable way.
Our Biosphere
The Galloway and Southern
Ayrshire Biosphere embraces diverse countryside surrounding the
Galloway Hills. Covering an area of 5268 square kilometres, the
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere is a status given in
recognition of its special natural qualities. It is home to
95,000 people who want to make life better while caring for the
natural environment.
How It Works
All Biospheres around the world
share the same goals:
1)
Conservation:
promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.
2)
Learning:
supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.
3)
Development:
fostering a sustainable economy and society.
We make a difference by
piloting new ideas, new ways of working and promoting a more
integrated approach to land use that benefits the rural economy,
biodiversity, climate change and our local population.
By working with local
communities, businesses and schools, we can help them realise
the benefits that the UNESCO Biosphere designation can bring to
them, through branding the region, local produce and services,
marketing towns and villages and promoting a more sustainable
way of living.
Our simple, yet powerful,
vision for Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is to make life in the
Biosphere better for people and nature.
Around the World
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire
Biosphere was the first Biosphere in Scotland. It joins an
international network of over 700 Biospheres around the world.
The global Biosphere network encourages sharing of experiences
and knowledge to help us take better care of our surroundings
locally, nationally and internationally.
