26 Oct 2007
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, has announced further funding to help develop the Dyfi Biosphere project, the only one in Wales.
Speaking at a meeting of the Dyfi Biosphere Partnership, in Machynlleth, the Minister said the Dyfi project would provide a valuable example of how communities can live sustainably and help combat climate change.
There are 482 UNESCO Biosphere areas in the world, but the Dyfi is the only one in Wales. In Biosphere areas the local community and businesses work together to achieve UNESCO's aim to "innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development at a local level".
The Dyfi biosphere area as it stands today is too small and doesn't contain enough people for it to be considered a 'modern' biosphere area. Following lengthy local consultation the Biosphere Partnership has decided that there is enough support to apply to UNESCO for re-registration as an expanded "modern" biosphere.
The application is being put together by members of the Dyfi Biosphere Partnership and will be sent on a long journey to UNESCO headquarters via the Welsh and Westminster Governments and UNESCO Committees.
Ecodyfi provides administration for the Partnership and manages the community engagement process. Ecodyfi’s Andy Rowland said that the Partnership hopes to send the application on its way on 22nd November but that UNESCO’s endorsement won’t come until September next year.
The time in between will be spent involving people in developing an action plan, made up of projects and activities that will bring about the benefits of the status.
The £15,000 Welsh Assembly Government grant will kick start this by enabling a number of small projects to get going during the next 5 months. Delyth Richards, the Community Engagement Officer, said, “This is brilliant news. Now we will be able to help local groups carry out some practical ideas related to the Biosphere’s aims.”
“While these may well relate to environmental issues”, she added, “they might also be aimed at promoting our distinctive culture and heritage”. The meeting on the 22nd will consider how to take this forward and interested people should contact Delyth for an informal chat.
© 2007 Dyfi Biosphere