18 July 2014
It was announced in June that Shoreham Port is now part of the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Biosphere. The partnership has successfully applied to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, part of the worldwide family of over 600 international sites across 100 countries. The Biosphere aims to serve as a world-class demonstration area to show how we can live with nature.
The biosphere reserve covers all of the land and near-shore coastal waters between the rivers Adur and the Ouse ending at the northern boundary of the National Park.
Peter Davies, Development Director at Shoreham Port said “This is only one of four designated areas in the UK and the first entirely new biosphere area for almost 40 years. It is also one of only a handful of areas based on a city worldwide. We are pleased to play our part in the ambitious plans to look after and improve the local environment.”
The Biosphere partnership has three main objectives, to conserve and enhance nature, to support human development that is sustainable and to encourage environmental knowledge, learning and awareness and engagement. The objectives set by the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Biosphere align perfectly with Shoreham Port’s objectives as an Eco-Port.
Chris Todd, Chairman of the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Biosphere partnership, said “The biosphere is world recognition of the fantastic environment we have here and for all the hard work that local people put into looking after it. Now we have this accolade, we aim to build on the partnership to do even greater things.”
For more information about the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs Biosphere please visit www.shoreham-port.co.uk/Biosphere.