Young people
Meet the Biosphere’s new youth representative, Joe Wilkins. Joe will be the contact for young people wishing to engage with the Biosphere. He will also be representing the Dyfi Biosphere in the British Isles Biospheres Youth Network, working with other youth representatives to improve youth engagement in the wider biospheres work.
Joe Wilkins (he/him) is an ecologist and nature campaigner with a background in ecology and environmental biology. He is passionate about achieving greater engagement and fairness in conservation. He has gained considerable experience working in engagement, education, and campaigning at local, national, and international levels, which he is excited to use to support and empower youth across the Dyfi Biosphere. A first-language Welsh speaker and a proud Cardi, he enjoys exploring the links between local culture and nature and will always say yes to a story over a paned. When not having a paned or at his desk, you will find him near, on, or in the water, the place he says he feels most at home.
Joe says "For me, engaging young people in conservation and governance is not only a matter of engaging the leaders of the future, but it is also about providing an opportunity for them to be leaders today. How can we, as young people, actively shape policies and behaviours now? How can we influence decision-makers to make decisions to improve things today rather than being 'left to fix things' at some point in the future?"
If you'd like to chat with Joe, please email him at wjwildlife@gmail.com.
Young Farmers Clubs
In 2024, with funding from Welsh Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund we supported local Young Farmers' Clubs to make videos about their work in the Biosphere. Here are two of them, by the Dinas Mawddwy and Bro Ddyfi clubs.
Ti Bia'r Biosffer
Ti Bia'r Biosffer, which means 'It's your Biosphere' was a 2021 project that inspired entrepreneurialism within the Dyfi Biosphere through developing skills and business ideas. It was delivered by Menter a Busnes with funding from Cynnal y Cardi.
Its legacy is a series of short videos presenting businesses in the area, including Llaeth Teulu Jenkins Milk, Ty Cemaes, Heartwood Saunas, EXEO Energy, Free Range Designs, Atherton Bikes and Dyfi Tannery.