Hold a Biosphere Bee in 2023

Hold a Biosphere Bee in 2023. That’s the invitation from UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man to schools, clubs, community groups, neighbours and businesses.

The Biosphere Bee Community Picnic 2023 will run from April to September. It’s the second year of the initiative, which connects people with each other and nature and celebrates Isle of Man food and drink and those who produce it.

Organisers should register their Biosphere Bee Community Picnic through the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man website, then go ahead and organise it.

They will receive a guidance pack on organising a sustainable picnic and other digital resources such as posters and invitations, enabling them to plan and host their events.

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘The Biosphere Bee Community Picnic addresses social isolation, connecting people in our community, some of whom are new to the Island and seeking to make new friends.

‘The event encourages people to explore and enjoy the beautiful outdoors and the biodiversity in our UNESCO Biosphere in a sustainable way that leaves no negative impact.

‘As well as its natural connotations, Bee means gathering in English and is Manx for food, making it the perfect title for the event,’ the Minister continued.

‘Central to any picnic, of course, is enjoying tasty local food and drink, supporting our hard-working local food and drink producers and our local economy.

‘Picnics will be unique to the classmates, clubs, cul-de-sacs, companies and communities organising them. They can have fun making them different and memorable,’ the Minister said.

‘We encourage everyone to get involved and look forward to all the imaginative ways people celebrate Biosphere Bee in 2023.’

To register your event and receive your pack, visit https://www.biosphere.im/our-projects and scroll to ‘Biosphere Bee 2023.’

Listen to our podcast about the Biosphere Bee Community Picnic 2022 on the Biosphere podcast area of Manx Radio’s website.

If you want a chat prior to registering an event, email Biosphere@gov.im

UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man welcomes organisers posting news of their events on social media and tagging it, and sending in photos.

Photo: The GRIN (Garden, Recharge, Inspire, Nourish) Biosphere Bee Community Picnic at Arbory School facilitated by Commissioner Jane Glover MBE.