people in the forest of dean are being asked if they want their area to be officially designated a unesco biosphere reserve. there are more than 700 of these around the world they re described as learning places for sustainable development and could provide lots of local green solutions to global challenges. tracey miller explains. there is no denying that the forest of dean is a beautiful place. now there are plans to give this ancient woodland protection and international recognition. it has got bats, birds, wildlife. it is a major carbon store and that is very valuable in these days when we need to take carbon out of the air, lock it up in timberand wood, and reduce our effect on the climate. there are seven other unesco biosphere reserves in the uk. north devon is one of them, but what would the forest of dean gain by becoming one? i think it sets our stall out as to what kind of economy we envisage for the forest of dean