Biosphere Here
January 2017
Looking Forwards, and tell us what you think!
Dear <<Name>>
A very Happy New Year to all our Friends of the Biosphere!
Firstly, we'd love to hear from you please about what you think of this monthly Bulletin as our way of communicating with you - please do take a few moments to complete our reader survey to let us know how you wish to engage with the Biosphere.
Looking back at our Biosphere achievements over the last year - see the 'WoW' section (below left) - we have had some notable successes with projects focussed on water and engaging people, elements that we are developing further with new resources.
We have also laid strong foundations for the big ambitions that we have for the year ahead, which include:
- Launching a fresh new identity for our Biosphere Region
- Creating a new online eco-map for local people and schools
- Producing a local research strategy with university partners
- Bidding for EU support for more nature-based solutions in cities
Of course our country, as well as the wider world, is living through uncertain times with the greatly changing nature of politics, society and the environment. The future for conservation of our local wildlife has been chosen as the focus of this month's Bio Blog (below right), by Henri Brocklebank of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, exploring the its issues, successes and future challenges.
Lastly, don't forget to look at our regular columns, to see the local eco-events happening in our Biosphere Calendar (see left), and the goings-on in the natural world in our Nature Now diary.
Looking forward to the year ahead, with best wishes
Rich Howorth
Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Partnership |
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Window On
Our World
The Year That Was 2016
Highlights of what we have achieved for our Biosphere Region last year include:
~ Rain Gardens - we created the first pilot schemes in two Portslade parks, to help address local flood risk
~ School Studies - innovative 'Our Water Matters' environmental education, delivered to ten primary schools (pic)
~ Green Growth - we worked with other UK cities to map and model the values of urban greenspace in new development
~ Greenspace Network - we are working with other bodies to help establish a groups platform for Brighton & Hove
~ Biocultural Heritage - we joined with other Biosphere Regions in England and France to submit an EU funding bid to develop tourism
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Bio Blog
Natural Outlook
What does 2017 have in store for the nature of our Biosphere?
The recently published State of Nature report for 2016 reveals a staggering 59% reduction of British invertebrate species populations in the last 45 years. If this statistic doesn’t shock or disturb you, you are possibly suffering from an ‘environmental emotional detachment’!
Invertebrates are what our larger and more ‘charismatic’ species eat, such as Skylark chicks that need flies and beetles to survive. When we no longer have skylarks filling the air with their song over our Biosphere, we will all be wishing we had done more to look after their insect prey.
As we head closer to triggering Article 50 and our exit from the European Union, there is still uncertainty about future environmental legislation and funding mechanisms - as voiced by the Government’s own Environmental Audit Committee report.
In future we need legislation and funding to be not just equivalent to current levels, but even better! 2017 is definitely the year for the public to exert their influence, including lobbying MPs and…read full blog
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