What is a Biosphere Reserve?
“Biosphere Reserve” is a United Nations awarded designation that recognizes globally significant terrestrial and marine ecosystems where residents, businesses and government have made a commitment to live and work in harmony with nature. The three principles that are the foundation of biosphere reserves are conservation, sustainable economic development and capacity building.
The Niagara Escarpment is designated by the United Nations as one of fifteen Canadian World Biospheres Reserves among 564 Reserves worldwide in 109 Countries.
The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Reserve was the first along the Niagara Escarpment and is part of Ontario’s Greenbelt. The Association is actively engaged in the Biosphere Community.
A biosphere reserve is a designation of the UNESCO, Man and the Biosphere Program, launched in 1970.
The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is one in a network of 564 key worldwide ecosystems in 110 countries designed to provide the scientific bases that will improve the relationship between people and their environment.
Biosphere reserves are comprised of 3 main functions:
| Conservation Contribute to the global movement to protect samples of the Earth’s wealth of plants and animals, and the ecosystems in which they thrive. |
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Logistic Support Serve as "living laboratories" for scientific research to catalogue biodiversity and "open air classrooms" for teaching people about major development problems and how we can work together towards sustainable solutions. |
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Development Encourage economic and social development that does not destroy nature's resources and is adapted to the culture and traditions of local communities. |
As a community Biosphere Reserve Association, we are a group of volunteers who are dedicated to translating these principles into local actions.
