Bras dOr Lake Biosphere Reserve

1
Bras dOr Lake Biosphere Reserve
2
Outline of this show...

• What is a Biosphere Reserve?
• How does an area get this status?
• The Bras dOr Lake Biosphere Reserve?
• Who is working on it?
• Where are we today?

3
What is a Biosphere Reserve?

• .. areas that promote and demonstrate balanced
  relationships between people and nature

4
What is a Biosphere Reserve?

• part of the United Nations Man and the Biosphere
  (MAB) program
• areas internationally recognized by UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
5
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

6
What a Biosphere Reserve IS NOT

• It is not a form of REGULATION
• It is not a new level of BUREAUCRACY
• It is not a World Heritage Site
• It does not create protected areas
• It does not restrict the RIGHTS of citizens -
  aboriginal or non-aboriginal

7
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..

8
Functions of a Biosphere Reserve
Conservation
Economic Development
1
2
Capacity Building
3
9
Biosphere Geographic Zones

• CORE
• areas already protected
• BUFFER
• areas surrounding or near the core areas
• AREA OF COOPERATION
• the remaining area

10
Geographic Zones - example
Biosphere
? settlements
11
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

12
The Bras dOr Lake Biosphere Reserve
Courtesy ADI, Ltd.
3600 km2
13
Bras dOr 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

14
Bras dOr 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

15
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

16
Who is working on this?

• Volunteers a Steering Committee
• since 2003
• Bras dOr Lake Biosphere Reserve Assoc.
• formed in 2005

17
Where are we today?

• Office established
• P.O. Box 711, 532 Chebucto St., Baddeck, NS
  B0E 1B0
• Tel [phone]
• Web site www.blbra.ca
• Spreading the word meeting with anyone
• Growing our membership
• Completing the nomination form
• Fund raising

18
UNESCO MAB Programme
More Information

• http//www.unesco.org/mab/

19
Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association

• http//www.biospherecanada.ca/