Dyfi Valley awarded unique UN status
The Dyfi Valley has been officially recognised as Wales’ only new style UNESCO Biosphere.
There are 553 UNESCO Biosphere areas in the world, but the Dyfi is the only new style biosphere in Wales and only the second new style biosphere in the whole of the UK.
A Biosphere is a special area in which people work to balance the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Environment Minister Jane Davidson said the award was a flagship project for Wales:
“This status is a great honour not only for the area but also for Wales. The Dyfi Valley now joins a world-class group of special places for both people and nature. It provides a valuable example of how communities can live in a sustainable way.
“It is my hope that this special status can bring new opportunities for the environment, local culture and provide truly sustainable economic development.”
Being part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves will raise the profile of the Dyfi Valley on the world stage. The elite status offers a golden opportunity to build a vibrant economy based on the area’s fantastic natural assets, while also safeguarding local culture.
Pete Frost, from the Countryside Council for Wales, who is also Wales' representative on the UNESCO UK Man and Biosphere Committee
The Dyfi was first designated a Biosphere in the 1970s, but rule changes in the 1990s meant sites had to reapply under new criteria. Today’s decision means the whole of the Dyfi Valley, the area bounded from Aberystwyth, Llanbrynmair, Llanymawddwy, Corris Uchaf and Aberdyfi, will be part of a new Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere.
Allan Wynne Jones from the Dyfi Biosphere Partnership added:
“Over the next year the partnership will be working hard to help local people take advantage of this new opportunity. We hope residents will use the new status to get involved with local projects aimed at sustaining the local economy, environment and culture.
“Our overall aim is for the Dyfi Valley to be recognised and respected internationally and locally, not only for its natural beauty, heritage and wildlife, but also for its people’s efforts to make a positive contribution to a more sustainable world.”
This is the beginning of a journey for the Dyfi valley. The benefits of Biospheres vary from one place to another, and over time. Over the next year the partnership will be working hard to help local people take advantage of this new opportunity.
For more information on the 21st session of the MAB-ICC, click here.
The decision regarding Dyfi’s new status was made at the 21st session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC), which was held from 25 to 29 May 2009 on the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. The MAB-ICC decided to add 22 new sites from 17 countries to the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) which now counts 553 sites in 107 countries.
Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national governments and must fulfill three basic functions:
- A conservation function - to preserve genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes
- A development function - to foster sustainable economic and human development
- A logistic function - to support research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.
Written: 01/06/2009 , last modified: 01/06/2009
Image Gallery
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Lynn Williams' field © ecodyfi
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Aberdyfi © Liz Morgan
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Aerial photo playmat of the Dyfi Biosphere in use at Machynlleth High School © Centre for Alternative Technology
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Cors Fochno © Mike Bailey
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