Skip to main content
Loading…
Chamber and committees

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

  • Submitted by: Duncan Dunlop, South Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 November 2026
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S7M-01879

That the Parliament recognises 3 November 2026 as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, which was established by UNESCO to celebrate the contribution that biosphere reserves make to conservation, sustainable development, research, education and community wellbeing; congratulates the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere on its continuing work to support people and nature across south-west Scotland; notes that the Biosphere, which was designated by UNESCO in 2012, is the largest biosphere reserve in the UK, covering almost 9,800 km² of land and sea across Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, and is internationally recognised as a world-class environment for people and nature; acknowledges the Biosphere's role in promoting nature restoration, climate resilience, sustainable tourism, community-led development, environmental education and local economic opportunity; notes that NatureScot recommends a “better resourced and more influential” UNESCO biosphere, and welcomes continued support and investment to ensure that the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere can continue to deliver benefits for nature, rural economies and local communities.