Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve

Outline of this show... What is a Biosphere Reserve? How does an area get this status? The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve? Who is working on it? Where are we today?

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

.. areas that promote and demonstrate balanced relationships between

people and nature

Nature People

part of the United Nation’s Man and the BiosphereMan and the Biosphere (MAB) program

areas internationally recognized by UNESCO*

*United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

A designation of a special area where people practice integrated

management of land, water, and biodiversity

A reward and international recognition for activities currently going on within the

area that promote economic and human development in harmony with nature

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

What a Biosphere Reserve IS NOT

It is not a form of REGULATIONREGULATION It is not a new level of BUREAUCRACYBUREAUCRACY It It is not a World Heritage Site World Heritage Site It does not create protected areas It does not restrict the RIGHTSRIGHTS of citizens

- aboriginal or non-aboriginal

Biosphere Reserves in the World

531 biosphere reserves in 105 countries Humans are part of the ecosystem! 14 in Canada – 1 in Nova Scotia Examples…

Galápagos Islands Hawaiian Islands Amazon Rain Forest Southwest Nova…..

Functions of a Biosphere Reserve

Conservation

CapacityBuilding

EconomicDevelopment

Biosphere Geographic Zones

1. CORE …areas already protected

2. BUFFER …areas surrounding or near the core areas

3. AREA OF COOPERATION …the remaining area

Geographic Zones - example

Δ = settlements

CORE

BUFFER

AREA OF COOPERATION

BUFFER

CORE

Δ Δlake Δ

How does it happen? Nomination document to be prepared..

Comprehensive Shows how the area is unique and meets the

criteria for a Biosphere Reserve Shows public support

Submitted to the MAB office in Ottawa Ottawa “nominates” the area to UNESCO UNESCO makes the decision

The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve

~ 3600 km2 Courtesy ADI, Ltd.

Bras d’Or Lake BR- Advantages

International recognition Economic

e.g., Tourism Development $ leverage Sustainable life styles promoted Capacity building

Education, research and monitoring Networking power - nationally and

internationally

Bras d’Or Lake BR – “Core” Areas

Wilderness areas – e.g., Middle River Nature Reserves – e.g., Bornish Hills Provincial Parks Land easements

– “Buffer” Areas C2 multiple use IRM lands – Crown land NewPage managed sites National Historic Sites Kidston Island

What activities would happen in a BR? - examples

Public information Education

Workshops of “best practices” Logistic Support

Research Monitoring

Support and collaborate with other initiatives to protect and enhance the Lake and its watershed

Who is working on this?

Volunteers – a “Steering Committee” since 2003

Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Assoc. formed in 2005

Where are we today? Office established:

P.O. Box 711, 532 Chebucto St., Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0

Tel: 902-674-2578 Web site: www.blbra.ca Spreading the word – meeting with …

anyone… Growing our membership Completing the nomination form Fund raising

UNESCO – MAB Programme

http://www.unesco.org/mab/

More Information

http://www.biospherecanada.ca/

Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association