ONE Monitoring Program - Cooperation Plan for the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve

Due to the lack of ongoing funding, Canadian biosphere reserves have been dependent on community-led efforts. This necessity has, in part, become a virtue. Those involved in the biosphere program in Canada believe that this strong grassroots approach, as well as the focus on cooperative inter-agency involvement have brought several benefits, particularly greater innovation and improved stewardship. Community-based activities of Canadian biosphere reserves provide examples that may be easier to emulate in those parts of the developed world that are decentralizing government services and in much of the developing world where national resources are not always available for local programs.

In the spring of 2002, the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association was granted funds from the Department of Environment to undertake a project intended to strengthen the network of Canadian Biosphere Reserves. The funding enabled each participating Biosphere Reserve to create a "cooperation plan" that outlines priorities, organizes activities and identifies and engages partners in the areas of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and capacity building.

The development of a Cooperation Plan for the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve involved undertaking a comprehensive planning initiative with key communities and local partners. A focus group discussed how to link common goals, expand upon existing initiatives and identify current gaps.

The final result is a Cooperation Plan that outlines priorities for the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve in the areas of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and capacity building within local communities. Some of these key objectives and priorities outlined within the plan include: Maintaining Habitat Continuity and Integrity, Maintaining Water Quality and Quantity, Habitat Restoration and Community Awareness, Education and Training. The plan complements the Commission's mandate under the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

Plans from the 10 participating Biosphere Reserves were presented at an invitational meeting in June of 2002 for federal departments and agencies, non-government organizations and foundations. The meeting was a forum that showcased biosphere reserves as prime areas for programs and projects sponsored by these organizations.

Environment Canada and Parks Canada used the findings from the cooperation plans as part of our nation's contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September of 2002.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the Cooperation Plan, contact:

Lisa Grbinicek
ONE Monitoring Program,
Niagara Escarpment Commission
(905) 877-6425
lisa.grbinicek@ontario.ca