The Forest of Dean District Council is now moving into the next stage of its UNESCO Biosphere application. As part of this work, the Council is setting up a new multi‑stakeholder governance group to guide the development of the Biosphere proposal.
The Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) expects to play an active and constructive role in this group. Our aim is to make sure local businesses can shape the process, highlight opportunities, and benefit from any future designation.
This is a natural progression from the role FEP has already played. As the Council formalises the wider structure for the application, day‑to‑day management will sit with the Council’s project team, supported by partners including FEP.
What we are seeing in other UK Biospheres
Businesses in established UK Biosphere areas generally report positive experiences, with no evidence of widespread resistance or negative impacts. In fact, most Biospheres show strong collaboration between local firms, councils and community organisations.
North Devon
North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere has received national recognition for sustainability leadership, with business‑linked community projects winning awards and delivering measurable benefits. Local business schemes there were co‑designed with firms and continue to attract new members.
Brighton & Lewes Downs (The Living Coast)
Research from the University of Brighton shows local businesses act as constructive partners, helping promote sustainability and benefiting from the area’s growing environmental profile and project activity.
Across the UK, the pattern is consistent
- Businesses tend to join in, not push back.
- Biospheres focus on place identity, innovation, nature recovery and skills, all of which support local firms.
- No established UK Biosphere shows evidence of business communities campaigning against designation
What does this mean for the Forest of Dean?
For our area, this national picture suggests a clear opportunity. A Biosphere could:
- Strengthen the Forest’s identity as a great place to live, work and visit
- Help attract new investment and funding
- Support nature‑based industries and the wider visitor economy
- Open doors to research partnerships, skills programmes, and innovation projects
FEP’s role is to ensure that local businesses are informed, heard, and able to influence the direction of the work. Being part of the new governance group gives us exactly that opportunity.
Find out more about the Bisophere application here.
How you can help
Now the team would like to connect with businesses who want to explore the potential a biosphere will bring and to understand the general feeling from the business community.
The team have put together a survey to understand what businesses know of the biosphere, the potential opportunities it brings, and any concerns you might have.
Fill out the survey here.