Dublin Bay Biosphere hosted EuroMAB 2019, a biennial four-day conference for stakeholders from 302 UNESCO Biospheres in 36 countries across Europe and North America. The conference offered an opportunity for participants to meet and discuss collective approaches to managing the interactions between people and nature to support the conservation and celebration of natural and cultural heritage, and ultimately to test innovative solutions to promote sustainable development whilst experiencing the unique character of the bay, its communities and its biodiversity.
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Leslie Moore, Chairman of the Dublin Bay Biosphere Partnership shares details of how the partnership was formed in 2013-14. The partnership is made up of 6 organisations, Dublin Port Authority, Failte Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. The partner organisations work very closely in a spirit of cooperation where everyone can participate freely in what is a very positive venture. Our current priorities include a comprehensive Conservation and Research Strategy, Sustainable Business Development Programme and an Education Programme which links in with local schools and communities. All of which are producing positive results.
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Miguel Clusener-Godt discusses the opportunities that can be achieved by bringing representatives from the 37 EuroMAB nations together. By working directly we can exchange and explore views and ideas, develop collaborations as we look to integrate sustainable development with nature conservation. Miguel also looks to future and sees the ENESCO programme as a rich resource for finding adaptive solutions to the challenges we face.
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Meriem Bouamrane shares her thoughts on the benefits of hosting EuroMAB conferences. Bringing together all who work in Biospheres from Europe and North America is essential and can help us understand how best to connect people and nature in a way that safeguards our natural heritage.
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Flossie explains how she became a activist and voice for her generation and why her message is so important. Her lack of fear for public speaking enables her to share a message on behalf of those who do, especially the younger generation. Flossie’s awareness and action to protect the planet started when she was 7 or 8. Achievements to date include the setting up of an awareness raising charity and raising funds for the purchase and instillation of Ireland’s first sea bins.
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Dublin Port and Birdwatch Ireland share an insight into their collaboration and how their research provides valuable insights into the habits of domestic and migratory species of birds that can be found within Dublin Bay at differing times of the year. We also learn about the valuable role volunteers play in providing data through citizen science programme. The protection of Dublin Bay and the species found within it’s boundaries are vital, intrinsically, but also for the benefits it offers to our own health and wellbeing.