About the Biosphere

The geographical focus of the website is North Devon, with a particular emphasis on the Biosphere Reserve, one of over 500 UNESCO designated areas around the world.

Biosphere Reserves are 'special places for people and nature'. They aim to discover how people can enjoy a high quality of life based upon a superb natural environment.  

Biosphere Reserves aim to promote conservation, learning, research and sustainable development.

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve contains an exciting diversity of physical and human environments, including the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, the Taw and Torridge estuaries and the pebble ridge at Westward Ho!

North Devon is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve because of its blend of special landscapes and wildlife areas, rich cultural heritage and communities that care about it and want to sustain it into the future.

North Devon's Biosphere Reserve is the first of only two 'new style' Biosphere Reserve in the UK. These have core functions of conservation, learning and research, and sustainable development and three different management zones.

Their website provides further information - North Devon Biosphere