UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is joining up with its Irish counterparts to present a free webinar series.

The series marks the 50th anniversary of the intergovernmental ’Man and the Biosphere’ programme.

This was the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) initiative which first created internationally designated and protected Biospheres, of which there are 714 in 129 different countries. The Isle of Man is one of them.

Dublin Bay Biosphere will deliver the first webinar at 12.30pm, January 28 about its birdlife.

The webinar will be delivered with BirdWatch Ireland, the largest independent conservation organisation in Ireland.

It is open to anyone to attend, although people must register via: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8116110611614/WN_OuG4FZOuTxOEj2GPIv6tGA

Kerry Biosphere, in the south west of Ireland, is the other participant in the webinar series.

Jo Overty, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man project officer, said: ’One of the joys of belonging to the family of Biospheres is that we can collaborate with each to achieve the Biosphere programme’s aims of conservation, education and sustainable development.

’Although Biospheres are all unique, we also have much in common, and it will be fascinating to share stories and solutions to challenges we all face.

’At a time when we cannot travel, we also look forward to visiting Dublin and Kerry virtually and finding out more about their Biospheres and to welcoming residents of those Biospheres to the Isle of Man.’