World-renowned chef visits food & nature initiatives as city hosts UNESCO biospheres gathering
From 26 to 27 March, representatives from the UK’s biospheres and a world-renowned chef will be sharing their knowledge and exploring some of the city’s ground-breaking initiatives that produce local, healthy food, protect rare habitats and empower local communities with education.
The event includes a visit by Mauro Colagreco, UNESCO global goodwill ambassador for biodiversity and Michelin-starred chef. He will be visiting a local school and community gardens and participating in a landmark food conference on 27 March that will be open to the public.
Brighton & Hove City Council – together with the University of Brighton, Brighton & Hove Buses, Lewes District Council and other partners from The Living Coast UNESCO biosphere – will host the annual meeting of 7 UK biosphere reserves, which represent the most unique and rare landscapes of the British Isles.
Working together across boundaries
For the first time, a UNESCO youth forum will be held at the University of Brighton at the same time as the national biosphere meeting.
Brighton & Hove is part of the only urban biosphere in the UK. The Living Coast area is recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve for its rare chalk downland and marine landscape.
Council leader Bella Sankey will welcome the delegation at a reception in the Royal Pavilion. She said: “It’s a great honour to be hosting the UK & British Isles Biosphere meeting in Brighton & Hove.
“It’s also an incredible opportunity to be able to share some of the inspirational projects in the city, including some led by local communities and charities. These range from producing delicious meals from surplus food and edible gardens to increasing access to nature, conserving the marine environment and creating habitats in the heart of the city.
“Biospheres show how it’s possible to work beyond boundaries in a collaborative approach and we’re proud to be part of this global network.”
Martin Harris, chair of The Living Coast, said: “I’d like to thank all the biosphere partners for making this event happen, bringing together an amazing diversity of experiences and perspectives to share, collaborate and learn.
“2025 is a significant year for The Living Coast. We’ve just celebrated 10 successful years of partnership and are in the final stages of renewing the biosphere status for Brighton and Lewes Downs which includes an application to expand its area.”
Inspiring action with ground-breaking initiatives
During the visit, The Living Coast partners will showcase local initiatives. These include the flagship Wilding Waterhall in the South Downs National Park on a former golf course, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership projects, and pioneering work to restore marine kelp forests by Sussex Wildlife Trust and others.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Environment and Net Zero, said: “Connecting local communities with the Downs on their doorstep has been central to our initiatives that are restoring and protecting nature. They include Greening the Cities to restore our unique chalk grassland and sustainable farming practices on our rural Downland Estate.
“Schools and young people have played an important part in these projects and it’s fantastic to see a Youth Forum added to the schedule for the first time. We recently appointed two volunteer youth representatives for our area, and this will support the growing network of young people involved with the Living Coast Biosphere.”
Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: "We’re delighted to welcome global experts to the university to explore the critical connection between food and environmental change. This landmark event perfectly aligns with the University of Brighton's commitment to sustainability and our role nurturing the next generation of global changemakers.”
The Living Coast UNESCO biosphere
The Living Coast has been a UNESCO biosphere since 2014, recognised for its unique chalk downland landscape and efforts in sustainability, education and conservation. It covers the area between the River Adur and the River Ouse, stretching from the South Downs National Park to the Marine Conservation Zone, including Brighton & Hove and Lewes.
This partnership brings together local communities, conservation groups, educators, businesses and government to promote sustainable living. Flagship projects include The Aquifer Project, Our City, Our World, and Greening The Cities. Find more information on The Living Coast website.
What biosphere reserves are
UNESCO biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’, promoting and working towards a positive future by connecting people and nature.
The 7 biospheres in the UK are Brighton and Lewes Downs, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, the Dyfi Valley, North Devon, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight and Wester Ross. Together they cover around 10% of the landmass, include marine areas and are home to 850,000 people.
The 2 UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves in Ireland are Dublin Bay and Kerry.
Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands in Northern Ireland, which is represented at this week's event, is aiming to become Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO biosphere.