What is a Biosphere Reserve?
Biosphere Reserves are inhabited areas where various partners work together to preserve the local natural and cultural resources while promoting economic growth.
Biosphere Reserves are places of collaboration and exploration, affecting citizens, companies, government, and any other organizations. These areas are designated by UNESCO as model populated regions, which demonstrate innovation in conservation and sustainable development. In particular, these areas contain deserts, meadows, forests, mountains and marshes.
Biosphere reserves are spatially organized around three interrelated zones: The core area receives long-term protection to preserve biological diversity. The buffer zone is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices such as research, hiking and tourism. Finally, the cooperation area contains a certain number of agricultural activities, towns and villages, or industries. This site of social and economic activities must work towards sustainable development with the participation of the local population.
The network includes more than 650 biosphere reserves in 120 countries. The 16 biosphere reserves in Canada are the result of collaboration between communities, companies, the government, educational institutions and all other organizations. They rely on numerous partners and volunteers to successfully carry out their activities.