Project - Twinning
Partner - Malindi-Watamu 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 so we can learn from one another about how to adapt to a 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. Respresentatives from Malindi have visted North Devon and vice-versa.
The twinning process has:
North Devon's Biosphere Reserve has twinned with Malindi-Watamu Biosphere Reserve in Kenya so we can learn from one another about how to adapt to a 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. Respresentatives from Malindi have visted North Devon and vice-versa.
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.
- 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.

Rising Tides is a TV documentary about adapting to climate change in North Devon and Malindi. Commissioned by UNESCO, it has been shown on BBC World and at local screenings in a number of arts venues across North Devon.
Rising Tides was produced by the TV Trust for the Environment (TVE).
Rising Tides was produced by the TV Trust for the Environment (TVE).

Taking a step back
This is a 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 the coastal evolution of the Taw Torridge estuary including 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.
Download a copy below or find printed copies at main libraries throughout North Devon or alternatively contact the North Devon Biosphere Team.
This is a 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 the coastal evolution of the Taw Torridge estuary including 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.
Download a copy below or find printed copies at main libraries throughout North Devon or alternatively contact the North Devon Biosphere Team.

Taking a step back | |
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