Twinning with Malindi-Watumu Biosphere Reserve in Kenya

Sharing experiences and understanding is an important function for the worldwide Biosphere Reserve network.

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve has twinned with Malindi-Watamu Biosphere Reserve in Kenya to learn from one another about how to adapt to a changing world of climate change, sea level rise and coastal erosion. The intention is to twin the communities not just the co-ordinators or management groups. Respresentitives from Malindi have visted North Devon and vice-versa. Taking a step back - UNESCO report on the shared challenges of coastal management at Malindi-Watamu and Northern Devon's Biosphere Reserves.

 

Search for biosphere areas around the world or register your own school or biosphere as part of the Biosphere Reserve Twinning Project.

 

Malindi-Watamu Reserve         Malindi-Watamu (UNESCO MAB entry)

The twinning process has:

• Strengthened the profile of Biosphere Reserves in Kenya
• Helped the formation of a Management Committee for Malindi-Watamu that is working hard to encourage community participation in the decision making process
• Helped communities in North Devon's Biosphere Reserve understand the shared challenges of adpating to the impacts of climate change in the UK and in Kenya. A television documentary about this, commissioned by UNESCO and produced by the TV Trust for the Environment (TVE) has been shown on BBC World and at local screenings in a number of arts venues across North Devon- more.

It is hoped in the future to:

• Develop twinning between schools in the two Biosphere Reserves.
• Supporting the development of good practice for land-use management in Malindi-Watamu. A lack of resources hinders effective development control there.
• Projects to support waste minimisation.

TV Report on Malindi and North Devon's Biosphere Reserves Working Together

A new, 22 minute documentary filmed in both North Devon and Malindi in Kenya shows the impact that climate change is having on these two Biosphere Reserve coasts and communities.

• You tube extract
• Taking a step back - UNESCO report on the shared challenges of coastal management at Malindi-Watamu and Northern Devon's Biosphere Reserves.

The North Devon coverage features recent research on coastal evolution on the Taw Torridge estuary and the dune systems at either side of the river mouth. A wide range of local people were interviewed, giving a diverse spectrum of views about the problems and solutions for changing coasts. The Kenyan angle looks at some of the changes the community are witnessing that can be attributed to climate change, and exploring the development of their solutions and how UK science can help.

Copies are available from main libraries throughout North Devon or alternatively contact the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside office. ndccs@devon.gov.uk