As winter casts off its coat and we enjoy lighter evenings, we are reminded how lucky we are to live in the Isle of Man.

After work, we can quickly be out enjoying our spectacular hillsides, beautiful beaches and leafy lanes.

Contrast this with the slow grind home commuters elsewhere experience, arriving too late or too tired to enjoy outdoor leisure time.

As set out by my Government in a recent white paper, to ensure its continued success the Isle of Man needs more economically active residents.

We have a unique selling point in attracting people to live and work here - we are the only entire nation to be a UNESCO Biosphere area.

The accolade, from UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, recognises that we are a place where people and nature co-exist harmoniously.

As a Manxman and land custodian, our acceptance by UNESCO, two years ago this week, was one of the proudest moments of my political career and I am privileged to chair the Biosphere initiative in the island.

It means we join such iconic sites as Ayers Rock (Uluru), Yellowstone, the Cape Winelands, Mount Kenya and Central Amazon.

Our Biosphere status is a powerful tool with which we can market the island in the UK and internationally.

I hope companies and organisations are shouting from the rooftops about it to potential employees they are endeavouring to entice here.

Our Biosphere status also underlines that we are a responsible island - one of the five platforms of our Programme for Government.

Meanwhile, we are already seeing that Biosphere has the potential to assist exports and increase trade.

In line with our Destination Management Plan, Biosphere is also key to attracting over visitors who want to spend time among spectacular scenery. This, too, provides an economic boost to our accommodation and attraction providers and associated services.

Our old Manx plastic pound notes may be long out of circulation but we greatly welcome the ’green pound’.

And, of course, Biosphere and the Year of Our Island initiative are boosting national pride, as we look afresh at what we have right on our doorsteps and what we can get out and do.

Our people must take the credit for our membership of the UNESCO world network of biosphere areas.

For many centuries, they have been caring for the land and sea and that remains as important today as it was then: arguably more so as modern living poses such a threat to our environment.

Our Biosphere status recognises our innovative approaches to protecting the environment and managing our resources sustainably.

Initiatives like Beach Buddies, breaking records for public participation in beach cleans, and the management of Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve, boosting valuable fisheries and protecting special marine life, attract international attention.

A variety of animal, plant, insect and bird life contributes to our rich biodiversity and the appearance of our island.

Landowners and third sector organisations work hand in hand with Government to ensure we have a sustainable future, something that underpins our Biosphere designation.

Volunteers are building our knowledge and working to improve our environment.

Our youth is key to building this sustainable future and schools are keen participants in our work. In September, three young Manx adults proudly represented the Isle of Man at an inaugural international youth forum of Biosphere reserves and have come back full of ideas.

To date, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man has more than 80 partner organisations and we would welcome more that can demonstrate their commitment to our pledge: to protect natural resources, make a positive environmental impact, develop the economy in a sustainable way, work with the community, promote culture and heritage and assist us in telling the world how outstanding the island is.

We are happy to work with potential partners to identify the good work they are doing that fits in with the pledge.

As I said in my recent State of the Nation speech, our strength is in our difference.

That our whole island is recognised by UNESCO is a proud boast.

We are a special place for people and nature: let’s all join forces to keep it that way and to celebrate our Biosphere status on this second anniversary of us achieving it.

â?¢ To sign up as a business, community, environment, cultural or education partner to UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, or for details on the project, visit www.bisophere.im, email [email protected] or call 686080. Follow UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It’s now two years since the Isle of Man was admitted to the UNESCO world network. Here, Chief Minister Howard Quayle explains how the island is benefitting from its status.