Definition:

A “Biosphere Reserve” is a designation of recognition from UNESCO for an area which demonstrates a “balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.” Through collaborative efforts among people in the biosphere reserve, the sustainability of local economies and communities are promoted, as well as the conservation of the ecosystems they are in. Biosphere Reserves are intended as special areas where people demonstrate better approaches to conservation and sustainable resource use (RMBR, 2009).

Want to learn more?  Follow the link for the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve Backgrounder:

http://www.rmbr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/rmbr_backgrounder.pdf

Location: 

The core protected area, Riding Mountain National Park, covers some 3,000 square km’s of mixed wood forest, eastern deciduous forest, and rough fescue prairie. RMBR also includes a Zone of Cooperation which consists of the 15 municipalities that surround the Park, comprising an additional 12,000 square km’s (RMBR, 2009).

Follow the link provided for a map of Canada’s Biosphere Reserves:

http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/europe-n/Canadamap.htm

Follow the link provided for a world map of Biosphere Reserves:

http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/bios1-2.htm

History and establishment

In the 1970s, the Man and the Biosphere Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) introduced the biosphere reserve concept: areas proposed by local communities and/or stakeholders and designated by UNESCO to integrate biodiversity conservation (for example, a nature reserve) and economic development (UNESCO, 2005).

Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve (RMBR), one of 15 Biosphere Reserves in Canada, was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1986. It is a special area within which people are encouraged to demonstrate better approaches to conservation and sustainable resource use (RMBR, 2009).

For more information, follow the links provided

Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve: http://www.rmbr.ca/

UNESCO: www.unesco.org

UNESCO: Biosphere Reserves | Benefits and Opportunities - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001424/142453e.pdf

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