Visitor Gifting

Investing in Nature is the visitor gifting scheme for the Biosphere Reserve and is being pioneered by Marsdens Cottage Holidays. They are adding just a pound to their visitor's bills on an opt out basis with the money raised being used to help improve and maintain the world class environment that is so important to their visitors.

"As a family-owned locally-based business run by people who share a real passion for the place in which they live and work, Marsdens is proud to support Investing in Nature and be the recipient of the first ever North Devon Biosphere Sustainable Business Award. We're comitted to doing all we can to support and protect our beautiful Biosphere Reserve" Martin Wickham, Chief Executive of Marsdens Cottage Holidays in Devon.

Marsden's visitor gifting scheme contributions from 2011 are supporting the Biosphere Life's Journey Project that is improving access to and telling the story of cultural sites linked by the Tarka Trail

"Tourism contributes a crucial £376 million to the economy of north Devon each year - and our world class environment is the main attraction that brings in these visitors. With all of today's pressures, we have to invest to sustain this precious asset - restoring hedegrows, planting trees, improving countryside access routes, reducing pollution, clearing litter. Investing in Nature is not only welcome, but essential." Dr Mike Moser, Chair of the Biosphere Reserve Partnership.

We look forward to other tourism businesses entering the scheme over the coming months