A blueprint for managing the Island’s unique and diverse landscape for generations to come has been published by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).
‘Our Landscape, Our Legacy: A Strategy for the Landscape and Amenity of the Isle of Man to 2050’ goes before Tynwald for approval this month.
It contributes to a ‘suite’ of strategies from DEFA that map out sustainable futures for fisheries, farming/food and biodiversity.
It is intended that the strategy will co-ordinate, support and help shape existing and future policies across Government.
It also complements the Island’s new status as a member of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves and contributes to the Island’s measures to tackle climate challenges.
In his foreword to the strategy, Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, says:
‘There is something special about our Manx landscape. It’s obviously important economically, supporting farming, fishing, rural industries and tourism. But it also greatly enhances our everyday lives and contributes to our sense of place and wellbeing.
‘It is our heritage and it is what makes people visit, live in and remember the Isle of Man.’
The Minister adds that the Island faces ‘challenges’ if it’s to sustain the landscape, ranging from misuse and overuse of resources to managing expectations over its use.
The strategy is based around three key themes:
- Valued environment: enhancing the landscape itself and the understanding of and stewardship of it.
- Resilient economy: maximising the value of existing uses, encouraging appropriate new uses, nurturing green tourism, gaining greater recognition for the landscape and using it to create jobs.
- Vibrant community: ensuring the landscape contributes to people’s quality of life, health and wellbeing and their sense of ‘connection’ to the countryside.
The strategy will be delivered by those who own and care for the land.
Government – itself a major landowner – will lead by example, working in partnership with key stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, the third sector, businesses and interest groups.
‘The strategy will set a clear lead in what is expected from landscape management for the future across the whole Isle of Man to maximise and sustain our natural wealth,’ the Minister said.
