Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association

The Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (l'Association Canadienne des Reserves de la Biosphere) was created in 1998 as an organization with representatives from each biosphere reserve. The biosphere regions in seven provinces share experiences and work together on strengthening the effectiveness of biosphere reserves in Canada. As new biosphere reserves in Canada are designated by UNESCO, they are invited to join the Association. The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is represented at CBRA by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve charter holder, the Niagara Escarpment Commission.

In Canada, each biosphere reserve has its own community-based organizational arrangements which are judged by those involved to be appropriate for the local circumstances. Most biosphere reserves in Canada are incorporated as non-profit organizations with charitable status. Some work, at least initially, through a steering committee with stakeholder representation. At least two are administered through an existing organization in their area.  

Although biosphere reserves have very different geographical, economic and cultural contexts, they do have a common interest to seek solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with the sustainable use of natural resources. The World Network fosters exchanges among biosphere reserves -- for example, research results or experience in resolving specific issues -- and facilitates cooperative activities, including scientific research and monitoring, environmental education and specialist training. Cooperation can take the form of exchanges of information material, articles in the international bulletin and cooperative projects.

Locally, biosphere reserves try to:

• help create and maintain a healthy environment for people and their families  
• maintain productive, healthy landscapes  
• reduce conflict among people  
• encourage diverse local economies to revitalize rural areas  
• increase the involvement of communities in land use decisions and thus the connection to the land  
• support and facilitate interconnected scientific studies and monitoring  
• celebrate cultural diversity and provide opportunities to maintain existing
  traditions and lifestyles  

Nationally, biosphere reserves try to:

• provide long-term security for research, monitoring and educational activities to better understand how land use affects environmental change across a variety of environments  
• share experience in new techniques for conservation and sustainable development  
• expand public support for conservation by showing the practical and economic benefits  
• offer an established network of sites to monitor regional environmental and ecological change  
• help Canada to meet national and international environmental targets by functioning as pilot areas where new approaches are tested  

Globally, biosphere reserves try to:

• provide practical ways to resolve land use conflicts and to protect biological diversity  
• provide opportunities and share ideas for education, recreation and tourism to address conservation and sustainability issues  
• cooperate on thematic projects based on topics (e.g., agricultural practices or climate change) or on ecosystem types (e.g., temperate forests or coastal marine areas)  
• create a connection among people and cultures worldwide on how to live in harmony with the environment and each other