The Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere aims to serve as a world-class demonstration area of how we might live better in the future, in greater harmony with our local environment by bringing people and nature closer together.

We are now part of an international family of ‘Biosphere Reserves’ spanning over one hundred countries, recognised by the United Nations body UNESCO as international sites of excellence of how to meet our needs and improve our environment. We are the first completely new World Biosphere site established in the UK for almost 40 years, the first ever in south-east England, and one of only a handful worldwide to include a city.

Chris Todd, chairman of the Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere partnership, said: “This is world recognition for the fantastic environment we have here and for all the hard work that local people put into looking after it.

“Now we have this accolade, we aim to build on the partnership to do even greater things.

“This is not about telling people what to do but creating a vision for the future.”

The award follows six years’ work by the Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere partnership to develop its bid.

The partnership of some 40 organisations, with Brighton and Hove City Council as a lead partner, includes other local authorities, public bodies, voluntary, educational and community organisations and private sector businesses.

The newly-established Biosphere area covers all of the land and near-shore coastal waters between the two rivers of the Adur in the west and the Ouse in the east.

The northern boundary of the South Downs National Park marks its northern limits.

The Biosphere includes the city of Brighton and Hove and neighbouring towns of Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Shoreham, Telscombe and Southwick – covering a total of nearly 150 square miles.