An important step towards becoming a Biosphere Reserve for Storkriket

A biosphere reserve is designated by Unesco to draw attention to places where long-term efforts are made with sustainable use and conservation of biosphere resources. Storkriket Biosphere Reserve is an area of approximately 110,000 hectares in the municipalities of Lund, Eslöv and Sjöbo. Since 2021, the area has been a candidate area for becoming a biosphere reserve, which in that case would be Sweden's eighth. The area has high biodiversity with many red-listed species, provides many with food and water but is also an area with a rich cultural life and has a unique research and innovation environment. All of these ingredients are important when the three municipalities apply to make the area one of UNESCO designated biosphere sites.

Anna Karin Poussart — how does it feel that the application will now be sent to UNESCO?

- Of course, this is a very important milestone and I am very grateful to all the people and organizations that have participated in the process in one way or another. It feels great to have their involvement as a foundation in the further work.

You write that you are working as you are already a Biosphere Reserve — tell me what that means?

- As a candidate area, which Storkriket became in the autumn of 2020, the main mission of the biosphere business is to prepare the application submitted to UNESCO to form the biosphere reserve. In order to fill out the application with information, it is necessary to start active work in the area, in collaboration with residents and operators, that is, you need to get started and work as if it is already a biosphere reserve. The purpose of this is based on showing that there is commitment and will in the area and to shape identity and focus areas that will continue after the appointment. In practice, this often means that we initiate various cooperation projects, and carry out various dialogues and with the local actors present in the area.

UNESCO is expected to make a decision on the Great Rift in autumn 2025, at the 5th World Congress on Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China. How can you continue and intensify the work if you are appointed?

- After an appointment, our hope is that we will be able to switch up both our work with externally funded projects and collaboration, but also that we will be able to take the next step towards the organizational form that we described in our application to UNESCO.

You are unique as a Biosphere Reserve where cultural life is also included in the work. Can you describe how that has a meaning?

- As the first biosphere area where culture is identified as an important support process, we have great potential to show the way in this area. Biosphere areas should be model areas for sustainable development, areas where solutions, methods can be tested and demonstrated that they can be done. Storkriket's work with culture as a bridge builder, we hope, is just such a solution that can spread to others.

September 7-15 is the Biosphere Festival — what will happen?

- Genome Biosphere Festival residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to discover everything that makes Storkriket a great place to live, work and visit. The festival offers guided tours, exhibitions and workshops for those interested in nature and culture. For families, there are try-on activities, farm visits and music to enjoy. Knowledge seekers can attend lectures on topics such as local history and poisonous mushrooms, among many other things. The arrangements can be found at Festival - StorBiosphere Reserve and it is thanks to dedicated actors within Storkriket that the festival is created, without them this would not have been possible.

This year's Biosphere Festival starts in conjunction with Flyingebygden's harvest festival, where you can meet those who work with Storkriket as well as several actors from the area. There you can get an insight into ongoing projects and future plans, and talk to energy and climate advisors from the three municipalities. Flyingebygden harvest festival takes place on 7 September 11:00-15:00 at Flyingvägen 26 in Gårdstånga.

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