A day of talks being held later this month gives the public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Isle of Man’s status as a UNESCO biosphere region and the importance of the Island’s biodiversity.
The event takes places on Saturday 21 April from 10am in the Manx Museum lecture theatre. Titled ‘Nature’s Value – Biosphere and Biodiversity in the Isle of Man’, it is one of several events being held to mark Manx Wildlife Week 2018 which runs from 21 – 29 April.
Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, who chairs the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man steering group, will formally open the event.
There will be speakers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Manx National Heritage, the Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Birdlife and Isle of Man Seasearch.
The talks are split into morning and afternoon sessions covering fourteen topics:
Morning session 10am – 12 noon Getting Involved - Citizen Science and Volunteering
- Biodiversity engagement project
- Volunteer bird research
- Wallabies in the Isle of Man
- Manx Biodiversity Atlas
- Studying seals
Afternoon session 12.40pm - 4pm Biodiversity and Protected Areas
- Ramsey Forest
- Isle of Man's marine protected areas
- Counting seabirds
- Lesser mottled grasshoppers on Langness
- Manx whelk fishery
- The giant deer
- Volunteer divers
- UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man
- Biodiversity and conservation
The event is completely free but booking is required.
Enquiries should be directed to 01624 64800 or email manxwildlifeweek@gov.im
Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Martyn Perkins MHK, said:
'The public likely hears lots of talk about biodiversity in the Isle of Man and our UNESCO biosphere status. This event is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about what these phrases mean, why they’re important and how they are fundamental to making the Isle of Man such a special place for people and for nature.
'The event is completely free but places are limited. I hope we can see a full lecture theatre for what promises to be a very interesting and varied day of talks.'
