Recording two decades of environmental work in Machynlleth: archiving ecodyfi

As ecodyfi becomes Biosffer Dyfi, its records are going to National Library of Wales. Darllen yn Gymraeg

Andy Rowland with Aberystwyth University students Spencer Voss and Emma Jones

As ecodyfi has changed its name to become the Dyfi Biosphere, a team of Aberystwyth University students are sorting through its records for donation to the National Library of Wales. This archiving exercise is expected to connect with a UK-wide project called Oral History of the Environmental Movement based at Royal Holloway University London.

“The records cover an important period of the environmental movement in Wales, and our students, who are all studying for our Master’s in Archives and Records Management, are gaining valuable professional experience by preparing them for permanent preservation,” said Dr Sarah Higgins, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth University.

Ecodyfi was established in 1998 by individuals from Powys County Council, Dulas Ltd and many other partners with the aim of strengthening the local economy through a range of innovative activities. These were to include sustainable tourism, sustainable energy and wellbeing, while bringing people together and developing a sense of place.

From 2009, ecodyfi also held the secretariat of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere. When Andy Rowland, managing director of ecodyfi since the start, retired last year the Board of ecodyfi decided to invest its reserves in employing staff to develop the Biosphere, and the company changed its name to Biosffer Dyfi.

“We are very pleased that Andy’s years of service to the local community have left ecodyfi in a very good position and we look forward to building on that as we develop the Dyfi Biosphere,” said Martin Ashby, Co-Chair of the Biosphere board.

"We are grateful to Andy and ecodyfi for all its work on the Biosphere, the only one in Wales,” said Jane Powell, former Chair of the Biosphere partnership who with James Cass has taken over the coordinating role. “These are challenging times and it is good to be part of UNESCO with its international network of learning and research.”