ACTIVITIES

Canada’s 16 biosphere reserves (BRs) are located across eight provinces and have a positive impact on the lives of the two million people, living and working within their boundaries. Working together, biosphere reserve employees, volunteers and community stakeholders are involved in hundreds of projects and activities related to sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, education, governance and community engagement. Thanks to the core funding provided by Environment Canada, Canada’s BRs and the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (CBRA) have been able to increase the level of community involvement which in turn has allowed them to successfully leverage the funding with other community partners.
 
For a highlights of the interesting projects being undertaken : Showcasing Canada’s biosphere reserves  

When appropriate, a biosphere reserve groups will take the lead on major projects that are of wide interest to the community. The activities listed below are examples of the tools by which sustainable development is achieved in Canadian biosphere reserves.

 

Ecosystem and habitat management: Floodplain, drainage and erosion control; corridor restoration and native tree planting; shoreline reviews; voluntary fire bans; voluntary vessel speed reduction; strategies to minimise visitor impact.

Wildlife management: Natural pest control; reduction of animal-human conflicts; improvement of migration sites and routes.

Research and monitoring: Research on species numbers and movements, human-wildlife interactions and agricultural techniques such as the use of natural fertilizers.

Agriculture: Development of a solid understanding of how local food is produced; assessment of the interaction between agriculture and environment, non-native species control and ecological goods and services

Mapping: Creation of electronic atlases that feature local ecological riches, land use and endangered species, and that allow conservation and sustainable development projects under development to be visualized.

Monitoring: Assessment of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem plots, climate change, and regional recovery from pollution, fire and natural disasters.

Tourism: Formulation and implementation of strategies for commercial tourism; promotion of ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

Education: Development of education centers and educational programming, partnerships with universities, school curriculum and teacher training, conferences, workshops and publications.

Culture: Monitoring of cultural and historic regional features; coordination of cultural activities related to nature and historical land use.

Park creation: Support of proposals for new parks.

Regional interaction: Development of regional cooperative and sustainable communities plans; provision of advice and input on government policy and bills. Creating local forums for different stakeholders to meet and discuss biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

International cooperation: Participation in best practice and information exchanges; twinning arrangements.