Monday, 2 March 2020

North Devon Biosphere needs you support. "Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?"

Calling all North Devon and Torridge locals, businesses and visitors who value the natural beauty of our seas and coasts, care about protecting nature, are users of our water environment or whose livelihoods depend on it - the North Devon Biosphere team needs your input to our Marine Natural Capital Plan. This plan puts nature first, with thoughtful and sustainable local actions to improve and restore the marine environment for the benefit of people, society and the local economy, now and in the future.

Over the last three years, with the help of academics, local stakeholder groups and regulatory bodies (including the fishing industry, conservation organisations, businesses, local groups and people, marine managers and scientists) aims and objectives have been identified for the plan. However, to have a workable plan, feedback and new suggestions from local people and visitors to the North Devon Biosphere are vitally important. If there's something you feel we've overlooked which is important to you - this is your opportunity to be heard. How we use and protect our marine environment now will have a direct impact on future generations who live, work in or visit North Devon, so please, have your say.

Some of the priorities identified for the North Devon Biosphere are to achieve sustainable and viable local fisheries, to create new jobs in sustainable aquaculture and to promote sustainable tourism and recreation. There are also calls to improve water quality, protect our amazing marine biodiversity and enhance resilience to natural hazards and future climate change. To deliver a successful marine natural capital plan, we need to have the views and support of the local community.

"Whether you have a personal, environmental, social or economic interest in North Devon, your views are important to us. The health of the marine environment affects all of North Devon, both inland and in coastal areas. We want to hear your view and receive feedback on what you think of the plan. By working together with the local community, we can build an effective and deliverable plan that represents the people of the North Devon Biosphere while enhancing our amazing marine habitats and wildlife" said Chrissie Ingle, Marine team, North Devon Biosphere

Our consultation process will run for six weeks from early March, with a variety of methods to submit your feedback. We will be inviting people to read the plan and provide input through our website, by email or even by letter. We will also be running a series of 'drop-in' days throughout North Devon, where you can come and ask us about the plan. At the drop-in days, we will also be screening our amazing Journey to the Sea short films, filmed within the North Devon Biosphere which highlight the connection and importance between people, land and the sea. For a group or organisation, we are also offering to attend your event or meeting to present and/or discuss the plan with you.  All details provided on the North Devon Biospere website

Drop in day times and locations

  • Monday 9th March Braunton Countryside Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Tuesday 10th March The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington 11:00 – 14:00
  • Tuesday 10th March  Hatherleigh Community Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Wednesday 11th March Exmoor National Park Office, Lynmouth 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Mole Valley Farmers Store, South Molton 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Barnstaple Town Library 11:00 – 16:00
  • Friday 13th March  Northam Burrows Visitor Centre 12:00 – 16:00
  • Saturday 14th March Clovelly Visitor Centre 11:00 – 16:00
  • Sunday 15th March Ilfracombe Harbour Master’s office 12:00- 16:00
Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
 Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
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Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?
Tap here to visit North Devon Biosphere website for all details
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North Devon's Biosphere Reserve is the first new-style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the UK. It exists to inspire a positive future by connecting people and nature. The Biosphere in North Devon is a special place with wonderful wildlife and landscapes, and an economy and social structure still strongly linked to the environment but it is also more than that. It is a community of people working together to champion life and the environment, empower people to get involved and explore new ways of living that address local and global challenges.
 www.biosphere.org.uk
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