Biosphere Here
February 2017
What makes us naturally unique?
Dear <<Name>>
Is it our naturally creative people and dynamic alternative culture? Or our distinctive buildings, from the Royal Pavilion to Lewes Castle? Well actually our natural 'USP' is our National Elm Collection, once common species that died out as mature trees forty years ago in the rest of the UK through disease.
This is one reason in fact that we were chosen by UNESCO to be a World Biosphere Region. Thousands of elm trees line our streets, and provide shade and shelter in our parks, also helping to purify our air and soak up heavy rains.
We have a lot to thank them for! And we owe it to ourselves to nurture this vital resource for the future.
Read all about it in this month's Bio Blog (below right), by local elm expert Peter Bourne, and discover more through a beautiful new guide to Brighton's elm tree collection and further places listed in our 'WoW' section (below left).
Now that it's February, things are warming up - although not quite yet in terms of weather and wildlife activity: check our monthly Nature Now diary for the natural forecast. Rather its us humans who are looking more lively, through a host of eco-events happening - see our Biosphere Calendar (summary list, left) - including activities under the Brighton Science Festival and South Downs Dark Skies Festival during the half-term holiday.
No excuses for hibernation then!
Lastly, a final reminder to complete our reader survey please to let us know what you think of this bulletin. Your views matter to us!
Have a fantastic Feb!
Rich Howorth
Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Partnership |
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Window On
Our World
Tremendous Trees
We are incredibly lucky to harbour some superb individual elm trees in our Biosphere Region, as you can see yourself at:
~ Hove Rec (N & W) - hosts exceptionally rare examples of Kidbrooke, Klemmer and Pitteurs elm tree varieties
~ Crespin Way (pic) - overlooks the Brighton-Lewes railway, with lots of rare Dutch clones and two groups of very rare Himalayan elms
~ Stanmer Park - arboretum by wood behind the House includes Golden Siberian elm and very rare clones
~ Happy Valley, Woodingdean (W) - fine large elms including the world's largest 'Ulmus 260' clone
~ Stanford Avenue - this street has two of the last examples of particular elm varieties worldwide
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Bio Blog
Elm Haven
Our Biosphere is naturally unique by being the host of the National Elm Collection in Brighton & Hove, boasting some of the rarest elm tree varieties in the world in our parks, streets, schools and gardens.
Many areas in the UK lost their mature elm trees long ago to Dutch Elm Disease, whereas Brighton & Hove now has the largest remaining population in the UK.
Our elm population has survived disease, a hurricane and strong sea winds, growing to some 50,000 trees - with a diversity of varieties possibly greater than any other city in the world!
Many of these elm tree varieties are now scarce and endangered however, needing active conservation efforts to…read full blog
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