The Galloway and South Ayrshire proposed biosphere reserve welcomed speakers from two European biosphere reserves and two 'new style' UK biosphere reserves at a public conference held in New Galloway on 20 May 2010. The conference brought together local communities, biosphere managers and experts from across Europe to explore the benefits that a biosphere could bring to Galloway and Southern Ayrshire.

Photo: Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

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UKMAB is working with the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia and SPOT Image remote sensing to support the vision for Bale to become carbon neutral through its visitor programme. Learn more at Planet Action.

Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere has been officially recognised as a "new style" biosphere reserve joining the ranks of Mount Olympus in Greece and Uluru in Australia.

The Welsh Assembly Government Environment Minister Jane Davidson said:

"This status is a great honour not only for the area but also for Wales. The Dyfi Valley now joins a world-class group of special places for both people and nature. It provides a valuable example of how communities can live in a sustainable way."

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Photo: Biosffer Dyfi

Climate change is driving sea-level rise and creating a dilemma for coastal communities all over the world. The BBC World News ‘Earth Report' series travels to the UK and Kenya to see if UNESCO ‘biosphere reserves' provide answers.

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Dyfi valley has lodged its application to be Wales first new style biosphere reserve. The applciation was approved by UKMAB and the the Welsh Assembly before being forwarded to UNESCO.

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve has launched its strategy and action plan. Hot on the heels of this launch the area has just been awarded £3.8M for its Local Action for Rural Communites bid, which featured the biosphere reserves as a main driver.