Local student helps the Dyfi Biosphere

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Contact details
Ty Bro Ddyfi, 52 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8DT, UK. phone: 01654 703965 e-mail: info@ecodyfi.org.uk

Become a member of ecodyfi by joining our team of talented and voluntary development workers and catalysts.

Help conserve our environment and improve our quality of life

8/6/2007

Ffion Causer from Abercegir has just finished her second year at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has received a scholarship from the Countryside Council for Wales.

Ffion will be working for five weeks with Delyth Richards, the Community Engagement Officer, on the Dyfi biosphere project.

One of her main activities will be research work, which will be of assistance if the community decides to apply to UNESCO to re-designate the Dyfi as a 'modern' Biosphere Area.

Modern Biosphere Areas explore how local people can benefit from protecting the things they value - local knowledge, language and culture as well as the local and global environment.

The Dyfi Biosphere Partnership has published a Consultation Document summarizing what people have said about the idea so far.

It also includes proposals for projects, maps, and ideas about who would co-ordinate the programme if it goes ahead.

Ffion is studying Physical Geography.

She said, "It's a brilliant opportunity for me to gain experience in the environmental field, but more than that it gives me an opportunity to work using the Welsh language in my local area.

I'm developing skills and experiences which will be of advantage to me in the future when trying to find a job after graduating".

The document contains a short questionnaire.

The Partnership will like to hear from individuals, societies and business about the project and to receive comments on how it should be developed.

The closing date is the end of June 2007.

Copies of the document are available from 01654 703965, delyth@dyfibiosphere.org.uk and www.biosfferdyfi.org.uk

Further information:

Delyth Richards and Ffion Medi Causer, Dyfi Biosphere: tel. 01654 703965 or delyth@dyfibiosphere.org.uk
Andy Rowland, ecodyfi Manager: tel.01654 703965
Aled Griffiths, ecodyfi Co-Chair: tel. 01686 624200 / 01650 511406
Norah W Williams, Welsh Training Development Officer, Countryside Council for Wales: n.williams@ccw.gov.uk; tel. 01248 385539.

Notes for Editors

Biosphere status is entirely voluntary.
No application will go to UNESCO without community support.
The Biosphere Partnership is appealing for as many people and organizations as possible to complete the response form in the document by the end of June, so that it can assess the level of support.
A Partnership has been formed to consult local residents and businesses about the Dyfi Biosphere opportunities.
The members are:
- Ceredigion County Council
- Powys County Council
- Gwynedd Council
- Snowdonia National Park Authority
- Welsh Language Board
- Countryside Council for Wales
- Welsh Assembly Government:
  - Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks
  - Department of Environment, Planning and Countryside
- Ecodyfi
- National Farmers Union
- Farmers Union for Wales
- The Environment Agency
- Tourism Partnership Mid Wales
- Forestry Commission Wales
- Allan Wynne Jones (co-opted to focus on cultural aspects)
The community engagement process is being managed by ecodyfi on behalf of the Partnership.
Ffion Causer has received a scholarship from the Countryside Council for Wales.
The aim of the scheme is to provide work experience for students in the environmental field.
This scholarship was only available to Welsh speakers, in order to try and encourage more Welsh speaking students to work with the environment.