UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere
What is a Biosphere?
UNESCO Biospheres are ‘learning places for sustainable development’, promoting and working towards a positive future by connecting people and nature. They are sites for learning and research, testing local solutions to global challenges, generating experience and innovation for a sustainable future.
There are seven in the UK and over 700 around the world, regulated by the global UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in these areas.
They have three main functions:
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Conservation: protecting wildlife, habitats and the environment.
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Development – encouraging a sustainable economy and community;
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Education – supporting research, monitoring, and building global networks to share and learn
Where is the Dyfi Biosphere?
The Dyfi Biosphere is in coastal mid Wales. It covers the whole of the Dyfi river catchment and extends along the coast of Cardigan Bay as far as Tywyn in the north and Aberystwyth in the south.
It has a core area of three protected areas:
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Cors Fochno, (SAC, SSSI) is one of the finest raised peat bogs in Britain
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Coed Cwm Einion - (SAC, SSSI) an ancient semi-natural mixed broadleaved woodland (‘Celtic rainforest’)
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Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau (SAC) an area of sea, coast and estuary that support a wide range of different marine habitats and wildlife.
It has a buffer zone where nature is protected but which is used for education, research and leisure, and a transition zone where most of the economic activity takes place, including tourism, farming and leisure.
Read more on the protected areas
How did the Dyfi Biosphere begin?
The lower Dyfi Valley was first designated a Biosphere in the 1970s, but rule changes in the 1990s meant sites had to reapply under new criteria. After extensive local consultation, the Dyfi Biosphere was registered as a much larger area in June 2009.
It received its Biosphere status because of its important nature conservation sites, its potential for developing the economy through tourism, food and farming, and green technology, and the presence of a lively bilingual community active in research, education and volunteering.
In 2019 it passed its first ten-year Periodic Review and was enlarged to take in five more community council areas.
How does it work?
The Dyfi Biosphere is managed by a not-for-profit limited company with two part-time staff and a board of directors. It is guided by a partnership of local organisations and individuals including public bodies, voluntary groups and individuals.
Besides the coordinating role of the company and partnership, the work of the Biosphere is carried out by thematic groups including education, research and outdoor health, and numerous projects have been run under the Biosphere badge.