Isle of Wight, 7th UK destination bags UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status

Thursday, June 20, 2019

The Isle of Wight has been awarded a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for managed landscapes and human impact does not deter the natural beauty or wildlife.

The entire Isle of Wight is covered along with Solent, the strait separating the island from mainland England.

The unique combination of white chalk stacks known as the Needles, wealth of locally produced food and breadth of activities that includes walking, cycling, fossil hunting and water sports are highlighted.

Since 1963 half of the island has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rare wildlife can be spotted on the island like red squirrels, glanville fritillaries (butterflies) and ventnor wall lizards and is also home to a number of plants found nowhere else in the UK.

Richard Grogan, lead officer for the IW AONB, which put together the UNESCO application over the last three years mentioned that the global recognition for their island which is not only an area of outstanding natural beauty  but that islanders have played their part in looking after it.In spite of the modern day pressures brought about by the progress of human beings, nature continues to thrive here.

The status will further bring more visitors to the island.It is hoped the status will also encouraged more visitors to the island.

Will Myles, managing director at Visit IW said that the award was incredible, and a testament to the hard work that the IW AONB Partnership have done and will continue to do.

The status will have a positive impact on their visitor economy as the island’s hundreds of thousands of visitors recognize its unique qualities.

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