Brent geese and their fascinating relationship with the Isle of Man
2025 has been a year of progress, creativity, and collaboration for UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man. Here are just some of the highlights from the past 12 months...
January began with a leadership milestone as Jason Bissell was appointed the first Chair of the new Biosphere Board, ready to steer its vision for the future.
February welcomed Beth Penhallurick as Periodic Review Officer to start the important task of writing the Periodic Review for submission to UNESCO in 2026. We also celebrated Manx culture with the release of Manx Gaelic guides all about Biosphere.
March saw the launch and appointment of the Manx Wildlife Trust Biosphere Photographers in Residence Collective, which aims to encourage public engagement with Manx nature through photography.
Biosphere Isle of Man representatives, including the Youth Representatives, attended the UK Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Committee meeting in Brighton, hosted by the Living Coast Biosphere Reserve.
April brought fresh energy with research student Pierre Cherrimont joining the team for a 6-month placement, to help develop a research strategy as part of his Man and the Biosphere master’s degree at the University of Toulouse.
May highlighted sustainability and innovation in food as Biosphere representatives judged and presented the Sustainability and Innovation Awards at the Manx Menu Awards.
June was a standout month: the Isle of Man proudly hosted the prestigious Silver Lapwing Awards, organised by Biosphere Partners FWAG Isle of Man, and the newly appointed Biosphere Board held its first meeting to shape future priorities.
July and August showcased community engagement at Tynwald Day, the Southern Agricultural Show and the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, where visitors enjoyed the interactive “REIMAGINING Our Biosphere” game, developed by Ali Hodgson during her Biosphere Artist in Residency post.
Youth involvement took centre stage in September, with two new Youth Representatives joining the team, and the Youth Network hosting its first successful ‘Bioblitz’. The Island also hosted the Inter-Island Environment Meeting, welcoming conservationists from across the Crown Dependencies, other British Isles, and Ireland. Globally, 26 new Biosphere Reserves were designated – including São Tomé and Príncipe, another whole-nation reserve - strengthening the MAB family.
Creativity and research flourished in October, as Alice Dudley was announced as the fourth Biosphere Artist in Residence. The annual UCM Research Festival was themed around Biosphere, and it opened with the Biosphere Lecture, led by the Centre for Alternative Technology who facilitated a ‘social innovation lab’, inspiring discussion on co-creating a sustainable future.
From leadership appointments to collaborations, celebrations of culture and agriculture to youth-led action, 2025 has demonstrated the power of collaboration in protecting and enhancing our unique environment.
As the year ends and we take time to reflect, we are grateful to all our partners, followers and supporters for making this year extraordinary.
We look forward to building on these achievements in 2026!
Gura mie mooar eu as yeearreeyn share er son y Vlein Noa. Thank you very much and best wishes for the New Year.
Posted up on 16th December 2025
