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Welcome to the Dublin Bay Biosphere Ezine
In this edition we have a feature on our Tri-Biosphere Webinar series, World Wetlands Day, UNESCO's search for Youth Spokespersons, Youth Education, the Biosphere Business Charter, the Spirit Business Awards, the Internationally Important Brent Geese, Opportunities via the Green Economy and Volunteering, Leave No Trace Programme of Events, a Video Short from Deirdre Black and Biosphere's and Business Responses to the Pandemic.
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Tri-Biosphere Webinar Series
To mark the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, we are partnering with neighbouring biosphere's in Kerry and the Isle of Man to host a series of webinars to share the wonder and beauty of our biospheres. The first 'Birds of the Biosphere' was held recently during which Birdwatch Ireland shared their collective knowledge and passion for our feathered friends. You can view the webinar by clicking the link below. Details of forthcoming webinars will be shared via our website and social media channels.
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North Bull Island contains unique habitats that support a range of species throughout the year. Photo credit: Brendan Norris.
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Our important wetlands in the Dublin Bay Biosphere
Tuesday, 2nd February 2021 marks World Wetlands Day and 50 years since the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands - an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands and their resources. These wetlands are vital for animal species but equally provide important settings for tourism, water sports, fishing and nature exploration. To learn more click the link below.
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UNESCO Seeks Biosphere Youth Representatives
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme and UNESCO are seeking 5 Youth Spokespersons to showcase the crucial role young people play in protecting our internationally important nature reserves through their scientific research, actions and community engagement.
The Youth Spokespersons will be tasked with raising the spirit of young people, increase the visibility of biosphere's and the crucial role young people play and encourage more young people to become active participants in biospheres. You can learn more about the Youth Spokesperson role by clicking the link below.
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Music with a Message
Children learn in lots of different ways, some learn best through tactile interactions or social settings, some prefer problem solving whilst some learn best through music...
Environment the Musical, produced by Annette McNelis offers young people the opportunity to take the lead on environmental protection, something UNESCO are keen to encourage. The message from the musical is simple, respect where you live, respect others and be part of the solution, all of which resonates with the biosphere programme. Please click the link below to learn more about the musical and the special offer to biosphere supporters wishing to engage school and community groups.
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Business Supporters
We have developed a “Biosphere Charter” for our Local “Biosphere Supporters” that embraces the ethos of our UNESCO Biosphere. These Biosphere Supporters are encouraged to take a leadership role in improving and promoting the sustainability of the region through increasing awareness and recognition of the Dublin Bay Biosphere.The five principles of our Dublin Bay Biosphere Charter are to: Understanding the objectives and ambition of the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere designation. Raising awareness of the Dublin Bay Biosphere within and beyond your company. Operating your business in a way which conserves natural resources and minimises waste. Supporting the local economy and local produce. Promoting cultural heritage.
Businesses signing our charter and who follow these principals will be granted permission to brand their goods and services as UNESCO biosphere products and use our logo to promote their products.
To learn more about the Business Supporters please click the link below.
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Gardening for Biodiversity
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is launching a new programme in partnership with the Volunteer Centre in Dun Laoghaire which aims to build a community of volunteers who are taking small steps to protect and encourage biodiversity in their own gardens. When an army of volunteers collectively make small changes in their gardens to support local wildlife we will see significant benefits for local wildlife.
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Spirit Business Awards
The Business Spirit Award aims to inspire and support innovative businesses who can deliver financial returns with a positive impact.
The awards are dedicated to highlight leaders who believe that making a Profit with Purpose represents the new business as usual. Any organisation or project can apply as long as they aim to create profitable solutions while delivering a positive impact on society and/or on the natural environment.
Now more than ever we need to embrace innovative solutions that can help tackle major economic and social challenges by re-imagining business as usual! We believe that the next generation of products/services need to be profitable, sustainable and socially desirable at the same time.
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A Welcome Return to the Bay
Our Social Influencer Aoife Ní Mhaoláin has written a fascinating article on the return of Brent geese to our shores. Here is a short extract:
'No doubt they are exhausted when they arrive and, as the nation of a thousand welcomes, it is important that we bear this in mind when spotting the Brent geese on our shores... although a friendly hello from a human or pup might only be done with the best of intentions, the geese themselves don’t know this and the sheer threat of attack is enough to send them spiralling into a panic. The kindest thing to do in this situation is to simply keep away.'
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Reconnecting with our natural world
Biosphere Social Influencer Ellena Rossi has written an informative article showcasing some of the current opportunities available to help us reconnect with nature and our planet through volunteering, career opportunities in the green economy. So if you've a little spare time, or you're looking for a career change Elena's article could offer some valuable insights.
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Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is an Outdoor Ethics Education Programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. With an increasing numbers of people seeking the beauty and exhilaration of outdoor travel and recreation it's essential that we follow the Leave No Trace principals to avoid causing harm to the areas we want to enjoy . Unfortunately increasing incidences of littering and disturbance have been brought into stark focus during the current pandemic. To learn please visit their website here and check out their events by clicking the link below.
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What's in a name?
This amazing video was produced by Heritage Officer Deirdre Black who takes a look at the changes to transport through the ages and how those changes impacted on the Town of Dún Laoghaire. Take a trip from the early 1700's to present day Dún Laoghaire and learn why some of the best views in Ireland are right on your doorstep.
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What's in a Name video by Deirdre Black
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Mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for us all, but for those whose livelihoods rely almost exclusively upon tourism and the influx of visitors the challenge has been most keenly felt. In Ireland we've been somewhat fortunate with government support programmes assisting where they can. For some countries these same supports are not possible and the challenge to identify resilient models to address the crisis was essential.
A call from UNESCO asked biosphere's to identify and test potential solutions to these problems with a financial prize of up to $15000 on offer for the best solutions.
The winning projects offer insights into awareness raising and capacity building the lessons from which are of benefit to all biosphere as they seek to manage their biospheres more sustainably.
Please click the link below to learn more.
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Adapting to Covid-19 in Ireland
What do you do when most of your client base is oversees and 5k travel restrictions are in place? This is the challenge faced by many of our activity providers. All have found ways to adapt and cope but for some they've discovered whole new ways to do business! Mark of Hidden Howth Experiences is a prime example. Apart from the apps he's develop which we mentioned in a previous edition, Mark has been busy offering Virtual Tours to clients all over the world! The Irish Village, History, Culture and Craic Tour is proving particularly popular and I'm delighted to announce that Mark has agreed to give 5 lucky readers and a friend the opportunity to experience the craic for yourselves. Fingers crossed you'll be one of our lucky winners and if you are do let us know what you thought of the experience!
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We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Ezine
Should you wish to contact us please email info@dublinbaybiosphere.ie
Thanks for reading!
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Images courtesy of Biosphere Social Influencer Philip Swan
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