The officer team from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere will be in Wigtown on 24 th June, inviting local residents to join a Sense of Place workshop and explore the opportunity to join the Biosphere Communities scheme.
The scheme is designed to build social and cultural connections alongside learning opportunities that support villages and towns to save energy, reduce waste, and protect natural habitats in the area. There is also potential for communities to develop a sustainable tourism offering through promotional campaigns such as Scotland’s UNESCO Trail. As a first step to becoming a Biosphere Community, Sense of Place is a way for locals to share their favourite places and activities, and the aspects of Wigtown life that most inspire community pride.
The workshop will take place at Machars Action, 26 South Main Street, Wigtown, between 6:30 – 8:30pm on Monday 24 th June. Light refreshments will be provided and there is no requirement to book in advance.
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire was designated a UNESCO Biosphere in 2012, a title which sets the region alongside UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities, and Global Geoparks. UNESCO Biosphere status recognises the unique natural and cultural heritage of southwest Scotland, and its array of opportunities for sustainable development. The GSA Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish Charity (SC044137) delivering projects in conservation, education, sustainable development and climate resilience. It is supported by core funding from South of Scotland Enterprise and three local authorities, including Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Project Support Officer Ribh Gallacher will be one of the team facilitating the Wigtown workshop this month. Ribh says, “We have been spreading the word about the Biosphere Communities scheme in and around Wigtown through spring, including at the recent Local Place Plan launch, and are delighted by the positive response. Anyone who wants to learn more about what a UNESCO Biosphere is and does is warmly invited to our event on the 24 th , likewise anyone who loves Wigtown and its community, and would like to spend an evening celebrating what makes this such a special place to live.”
More information about the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is available at
www.gsabiosphere.org.uk. For any enquiries about the Wigtown in the Biosphere workshop, please email [email protected].
