A LECTURE series celebrating ten years of North Devon's biosphere reserve will visit Okehampton twice during the coming months.

The lecture series 'The Future of the Biosphere' has been organised as part of the B10 celebrations. The B10 anniversary has seen individuals, organisations and businesses from across north Devon contribute to an exciting programme of events.

The lectures will focus on different features of the Northern Devon Biosphere, and will be delivered by experts in that particular field.

Biosphere Reserves are places with world-class environments designated by the United Nations to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. The reserve promotes both conservation and sustainable development.

The North Devon Biosphere catchment area follows the water from the source of the Taw and Torridge rivers, and smaller rivers running into the sea along the coast from Lynton to Hartland, down through the villages and towns of north Devon out to sea, to Lundy and beyond. Winkleigh and Hatherleigh are among the communities that fall within the biosphere.

Okehampton College will host two talks as part of the lecture series. The first, The Future of Culm Grasslands, will be given by Dr Philip Murray of North Wyke Farm research facility on Wednesday, October 30. North Wyke is the foremost grassland research station in England, and is the home of the North Wyke Farm Platform, a major investment in research infrastructure by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council that aims to better understand and develop sustainable grassland systems.

Dr Murray will explore the future of culm grasslands and how the underpinning research is helping to develop sustainable grasslands in the south west.

The second talk by Dr Eirene Williams will look at environmental careers. Dr Williams started her career in Malawi and returned to buy a farm in South Devon and taking up various teaching and research posts around Exeter.

Her talk will explore the many opportunities for working in the environmental sector and the qualifications and qualities required in these careers, with special emphasis on those that are likely to be available in northern Devon.

Her talk takes place on Wednesday, November 27. Both talks start at 8.15pm.

Tickets for the lecturs can be booked for all lectures via The Plough Arts Centre box office by calling 01805 624624 or by calling in to the office in person.