This is the first of a series of columns about the IW UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The aim is to help people understand what the Biosphere is and how it will be a key part of protecting, sustaining and enhancing our precious local environment in the years to come.

The IW, together with its surrounding Solent and Channel coasts, was awarded this status in June 2019, formally recognising we have globally significant resources of cultural and biological diversity and a policy framework capable of sustaining them as part of living, working community.

The significance and value of the status is perhaps shown by the fact that across the planet there are only 714 Biosphere Reservesin the United, only seven in the UK..

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and it seeks to build peace through international co-operation. The designation directly connects the Island to these principles and the wider objectives of the United Nations.

The definition of the Reserves is that they are ‘sites of excellence to foster harmonious integration of people and nature for sustainable development through participation, knowledge, well-being, cultural values and society’s ability to cope with change.’

While Biosphere status does not itself provide extra powers or money it is a mark of global excellence and will provide a powerful way to strengthen and support existing legal and policy protections for our natural and cultural heritage.

A key element to this is the development of the new Island Plan, which will recognise and promote the principles and aims of the Biosphere in respect of future land use and development.

In future articles those who are doing the work to promote Biosphere status and what it supports will set out how the Biosphere will be helping and promoting a sustainable future which both benefits IW people and protects our valuable environment.

You will hear about how the status can and will be used to support and develop key parts of our economy such as tourism, agriculture and innovation. We have been given a valuable tool to use. We must now make the most of it.