Isle of Wight photographers featured in Finnish UNESCO Biosphere exhibition
c. Alan Burch. The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England re-introduced the White Tailed Eagle to the Isle of Wight in 2019. They have now matured showing their white tails and are looking magnificent. They are enormous birds and when you experience one in flight you know you have seen something special. This one spotted a Seal nearby looking to steal the limelight!
Back in September last year, our International Coordinator Sally Chaucer took part in a meeting of the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves in Australia, meeting people from all over the word. and forging new connections. These are already leading to discussions around potential partnerships and collaborations, and as part of this we were invited to take part in an exhibition in Finland, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve.
Our exhibition panel on the exhibition on the Finnish island of Korppoo .
We sent 5 images (including the white tailed eagle and seal above) and some information about our own Biosphere Reserve, and were thrilled to see it all in situ when they sent back photos of the exhibition after opening.
For all images and more of the story, have a look at this On The Wight article from 2nd April 2024, or any of the other features below in our local Press.
Articles about the exhibition
On The Wight “Isle of Wight photographers featured in Finnish UNESCO Biosphere exhibition” includes full images from all four photographers
Isle of Wight Radio “Seaview Cuttlefish Amongst Island Biosphere Images in Finland Exhibition”
Isle of Wight Observer “Island photographers featured in a Finnish biosphere exhibition”
Island Echo “Seaview Cuttlefish Amongst Island Biosphere Images in Finland Exhibition”
Isle of Wight County Press “Isle of Wight wildlife images in Finland exhibition”
Other images in exhibition
Collecting seagrass seed
c. Maria Bell
Seed collection of the underwater seagrass meadows of Seaview, Isle of Wight as part of the Hampshire & IW Wildlife Trust's restoration project. A large volunteer team supports the Trust in collecting, processing, planting and monitoring seagrass seeds.
Cuttlefish in the Seagrass
c. Theo Vickers
Seagrass is a vital habitat for a wide variety of species and an excellent carbon store. Whilst the Isle of Wight has wonderful seagrass meadows in certain places, overall they have been hugely depleted in the last century. Several local seagrass restoration projects are currently underway.
Regenerative agriculture on the Island
c. Maria Bell
Nature-friendly farmer Francesca Cooper inspecting the herd of Belted Galloways she manages with friend and co-partner Hollie Fallick as part of Nunwell Home Farm estate on the Isle of Wight. They work in collaboration with the local Wildlife Trust who have a rewilding project on this land.
St Catherine's Down and cliffs
c. Martha Henson
The setting sun transforms the cliffs of the Isle of Wight's south coast in this view looking east towards St Catherine's Down with its radio mast and lighthouse, the only surviving medieval lighthouse in the British Isles. The coastline here is a unique habitat but is also constantly eroding, often revealing fossils that have given the island its nickname of Dinosaur Island.
A panel from the exhibition
Second exhibition panel
