Why is there a Biosphere Reserve in north Devon?

"The Biosphere Reserve designation provides North Devon with a unique opportunity to take a lead in developing more sustainable ways of living that will benefit the environment, economy and community of the area and ultimately act as a shining example within the family of UNESCO's Biosphere Reserves. If we are to achieve this exciting vision then we will all need to play our part, whether as organisations, businesses or individuals. We are all part of the great potential as leaders of best practice for Biosphere Reserves within the UK and the world". Dr. Mike Moser, Chairman of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve Partnership.

Discover more about what makes North Devon a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and learn more with the questions and answers below

How have the boundaries been drawn?

The geographical area of the North Devon's Biosphere Reserve has not been plucked out of thin air. It is where it is because biospheres are living (working) ecosystems. The North Devon biosphere is based on water flowing from its source via the rivers out to sea.

Rain which falls on farmland, roads or driveways eventually finds its way into streams and rivers. The area of land that catches rainfall for a river is known as the catchment. The biosphere catchment includes the wide swathe of countryside, which connects all the streams to the Taw and Torridge rivers. In short, you live in the North Devon biosphere if you live in the water catchment area of the Taw and Torridge (or smaller rivers running into the sea from Lynton to Hartland.)

The catchment area begins high up on Dartmoor and Exmoor at the source of the Taw and Torridge rivers and follows the water, down through the villages and towns of North Devon and on out to sea, to Lundy and beyond. This is why many small towns: Chulmleigh, Witheridge, South Molton, Winkleigh, Hatherleigh, Torrington, Bratton Fleming and their surrounding villages are in the biosphere and just as important to its existence and well-being as the world-famous Braunton Burrows (at its heart) and of course the coastal area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The water then flows out to sea affecting sea life around Lundy and beyond and so our biosphere includes Lundy and a substantial area out to sea.

The biosphere designation has also been given to North Devon because it has a strong cultural and local identity. It is through water that everyone living and working in the biosphere is connected with everyone else.

What is North Devon's Biosphere Reserve trying to achieve?

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve has 8 Strategic aims that lie within the 3 fundamental, complementary functions of a UNSECO Biosphere Reserve (Conservation, Learning and Research and Sustainable Development) that support the core purpose of ‘testing and demonstrating sustainable development on a regional scale'. These 8 aims are set out in the Reserve's Strategy for 2008-2012, put together by a wide variety of interested parties. The accompanying Action Plan sets out a portfolio of actions identified by the Biosphere Reserve Partnership to address those aims.

Did you know?

• The area of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve is some 3300 square kilometres and it includes about 150,000 people.
• The Reserve includes the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• North Devon's Biuosphere Reserve is twinned with the Malindi-Watumu Biosphere Reserve on the Kenyan coast.
• There are 8 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Biosphere Reserve.
• The Braunton Burrows core area is a Special Area of Conservation scheduled under the EC Habitats and Species Directive.
• There are four Local Nature Reserves in the Biosphere Reserve.
• About 1.4 million visitors stay in Northern Devon each year and contribute over £250m to the area's economy. 80% of these come because of the environment.
• An estimated 6.4 million day visitors contribute some £169m each year to the local economy.
• The Biosphere Reserve area has roughly 10.75 MW of renewable electricity installed (SWENVO 2007 data).
• The current Carbon footprint of the Biosphere Reserve is in the order of 1601 Kt in 2005, which is 90% of the 1990 level.

What are some current initiative/project examples?

• Supporting sustainable design within housing development schemes.
• Educational partnerships with local schools and colleges, development of curriculum resources and environmental vocational training.
• A pilot Visitor Investment Scheme.
• Business Brand Accreditation Scheme for local businesses.
• Support for a Local Food Produce and Service Network
• Twinning projects with the Malindi-Watamu Biosphere Reserve in Kenya.
• Promotion of rural skills for Biodiversity Management
• Enhancing urban biodiversity - gardening projects
• Celebration and interpretation of local heritage and culture.
• Volunteer conservation projects and Local Nature Reserves.
• Natural Resource mapping.
• Climate change research.
• Projects to bring the well-being benefits of access to the environment more equitably to communities in northern Devon.