Thinking globally and innovating in our biosphere reserves.

These are but a few of the interesting and viable projects that the Canada’s biosphere reserves are working on. These communities are role models, living laboratories, of how sustainable development can be implemented in communities across Canada.

 It has been decided that the theme of this year’s AGM will be “Reflections on Future Directions of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO” where we will explore how best to position ourselves to achieve our goals in the next five years (2012-2017).

 The AGM will officially open with a reception on Thursday 10 May from 6 – 8 p.m. The business meeting will be held on Friday morning, 11 May, and will include addresses by H.E. Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, and the Commission’s President, Dr. Axel Meisen.

For more information : http://www.unesco.ca/

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The Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (CBRA) is proud to announce a Partnership Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council effective May 2011-April 2014. This research project aims to improve networking skills and collaborative learning with the 16 biosphere reserves in Canada. This funding is the result of intensive work of all members of the network, but particularly that of Maureen Reed who is a faculty member in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan who helped develop this funding proposal. Thanks to all other collaborators to this research project who include biosphere reserve managers, academic researchers, and planners across the country.

The research project objectives are to:

-          Identify, implement, and assess best practices for governance and networking that will help BRs advance sustainability, learn from one another, and exchange knowledge across multiple scales;

-          Enhance team-based research, information exchange, and effective networking among academic researchers, individual BRs, the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (CBRA), national committees, and international organizations to enhance opportunities for social learning and action on sustainability;

-          Enhance the capacity of local and national bodies to undertake periodic reviews required by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);

-          Assist the CBRA to identify and communicate a unified Canadian perspective on the evolving application of the BR concept to policy advisors associated with the Canada-MAB Committee and the UNESCO-MAB program; and

-          Collectively evaluate how the partnership enhances scholarly understanding and practical capabilities of participants to engage in governance and learning for sustainability.

Mr. L. Messier chair of CBRA was proud to say that :

“This is a strategic research project for the 40^th anniversary of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program, which oversees the activities of the international network of biosphere reserves. Learning from one another is the best way to foster innovation and look toward the future.  This project is notable because it enables the 16 biosphere reserves in Canada to develop best practices that are meaningful to them. In addition, the research partnership adds value to the networking that we are used to, because it will also influence national and international committees related to biosphere reserves and provide new venues for sustainable development in Canada. “

CBRA would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for this $266 745 grant and would also thank all its research partners for making this come through.

Today countries around the world are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program.  The MAB is an intergovernmental scientific program aimed at establishing the scientific basis for improving the relationship between man and nature. This notion may seem simple conceptually, but it is as relevant now as it was 40 years ago given the state of ecosystems worldwide, environmental community mobilization and the work that remains to be done to implement sustainable development. The most significant result of this program is the development and implementation of an international network of biosphere reserves that serve as demonstration sites for biodiversity conservation and through research and education the promotion of sustainable development and capacity building in local communities.

Canada’s biosphere reserves marked the anniversary at their annual general meeting last June by presenting a review of the strategic plan governing biosphere reserves around the world. Several of our reserves have carried out activities to promote the 40th anniversary of MAB with key stakeholders in their regions. Additionally, a multimedia presentation was launched during the Canadian Commission for UNESCO annual general assembly.  Lastly, Jean-Philippe L. Messier of the Manicouagan Uapishka Biosphere Reserve on the North Shore of Quebec and chair of the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association will participate in a video conference today at the “World Biosphere Reserve Day” in Paris.

Happy Birthday MAB program!  It is our greatest wish that biodiversity conservation and sustainable development will someday be fully implemented around the world.  Congratulations to biosphere reserves around the world on this special day for making the MAB a real tangible and inspiring program.

For more information about the 40^th MAB anniversary: www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/

There were events all over the biosphere reserve put on by community groups as well as the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association. The Association hosted a Designation Ceremony Concert at the Highland Village Museum on September 17th from 2-5 pm.  CBRA’s Chair, Jean-Philippe L. Messier, had the privilege of giving a speech during that celebration on behalf of the other 15 Canadian Biosphere Reserves.

Check out the new video about the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve: www.blbra.ca

http://www.rmbr.ca/

CBRA’s chair, Jean-Philippe L. Messier made a speach during the event :

«Monsieur le Président,

Les représentants de l’Association canadienne des réserves de la biosphère et du Comité Canada MAB tiennent tout d’abord à exprimer leur reconnaissance au Secrétariat du MAB pour l’importance primordiale accordée au Plan d’Action de Madrid et ce, tout au long de l’ordre du jour.

En particulier, nous aimerions souligner la pertinence de l’évaluation à mi-parcours du Plan d’Action de Madrid, à laquelle toutes les réserves de biosphère canadienne ont contribué. Le Canada avait une délégation d’une vingtaine de délégués à Madrid lors du congrès mondial, nous avions organisé une table ronde sur la collaboration entre les réserves de biosphère et le secteur privé, en plus de donner une conférence en plénière d’ouverture, pour la zone Europe et Amérique du Nord. Nous avions commenté les versions préliminaires du Plan et nous continuons, Monsieur le Président, d’être fortement interpellés par le PAM. Nous aimerions partager avec vous certains aspects de la réalité du programme MAB en sol canadien que l’exercice d’évaluation a permis de révéler  :

D’une part, il va sans dire que les réserves canadiennes sont très engagées dans la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie de Séville et du Plan d’Action de Madrid. Toutes les réserves de la biosphère canadiennes se sont en effet conformées à la vision post-Séville, orientée sur les principes du développement durable; le comité Canada MAB a été revitalisé en août dernier; et enfin, l’Association canadienne des réserves de la biosphère apporte son soutien continu au réseau. Une résolution de notre association à l’attention du comité Canada MAB, adoptée lors de notre assemblée annuelle, réitérait d’ailleurs l’importance que nous accordons à l’engagement et la participation des collectivités locales dans les choix des nouvelles candidatures de réserves de biosphère ou dans les examens périodiques.

D’autre part, l’évaluation a permis de constater parfois une certaine déconnection entre certaines cibles du Plan d’action et les réalisations des réserves au niveau local. Cette situation s’explique en grande partie parce que les réserves agissent sur les problématiques locales ou régionales qui sont souvent assez différentes des préoccupations de la communauté internationale. Les ressources humaines et financières des réserves sont  passablement limitées, forçant les acteurs à établir des priorités axées sur les besoins pressants du milieu.

Néanmoins, les réserves de biosphère canadiennes travaillent en réseau à l’échelle locale, nationale et internationale, et manifestent de plus en plus, dans leurs choix de collaborateurs, une solidarité accrue face aux autres réseaux existants de l’UNESCO :

Par exemple, nos réserves de biosphère continuent à renforcer leurs collaborations avec un large spectre d’autres réserves de biosphère à travers le Réseau mondial, notamment en Europe, en Russie et en Afrique de l’Ouest, particulièrement dans les domaines du partenariat avec le secteur privé (cible 27.1), des chartes d’engagement en développement durable (cible 26.2 sur les économies de qualités), des échanges étudiants (cible 28.1).

La Réserve de Manicouagan-Uapishka a participé à la rencontre d’experts “Biosphere Reserves and Earth Resources” dans les quartiers généraux de l’UNESCO à Paris, le 15 février dernier. Il est à noter que la Réserve a pu faire en sorte qu’un de ses partenaires industriels, Alcoa Canada, participe aux échanges en partageant sa vision de l’intérêt de collaborer avec Manicouagan et de se préoccuper de développement durable, en tant que multinationale minière, et ce dans le but de développer la capacité d’autres réserves à entrer en collaboration avec des acteurs similaires. Nous serions heureux de partager nos conclusions avec les Réserves ou leurs partenaires, présents aujourd’hui.

Nos réserves de biosphère continuent également de coopérer avec les Écoles associées de l’UNESCO sur leurs territoires en faisant valoir les valeurs du MAB sous forme de contenu pédagogique locaux. Un comité conjoint Écoles associées-Réserves de la biosphère a été créé cette année; ce comité a développé une vision et un plan d’action pour les 5 prochaines années.

En conclusion, les réserves de biosphère canadiennes bénéficient toujours d’un support financier du gouvernement du Canada, et ce jusqu’en 2013. Notre association bénéficie aussi, depuis peu, d’une subvention de 100 000 dollars canadiens sur 3 ans, accordée par le Conseil de recherche en sciences humaines du Canada, pour faciliter le réseautage et l’échange de bonnes pratiques entre les réserves. Les réserves de biosphère canadiennes développent donc leur capacité de travailler en réseau, et je suis fier d’annoncer que ce projet est le 2^e de la sorte, cette année, qui engage 100% du réseau canadien dans un objectif commun.

Monsieur le Président, je vous remercie de m’avoir permis de prendre la parole et j’espère que ces quelques éléments auront été utiles à l’auditoire. J’espère aussi que vous constatez comme moi que les réserves de biosphère canadiennes regardent vers l’avenir et innovent constamment afin d’atteindre les ambitieux objectifs du programme qui nous réunit tous ici aujourd’hui.» J.P. L. Messier 2011.

He is taking off on a twelve-day kayak trip on July 30^th all the way from the north tip of the Biosphere Reserve at the French River to the south end at Port Severn. On his way, he will pass the many communities and talk about how the UNESCO biosphere reserve designation makes eastern Georgian Bay unique. It is meant to both preserve the ecosystem of the Bay as well as promote people living and working in it in an eco-friendly way. This is also an opportunity for Robin to conduct a short survey to find out what are people’s concerns in the area.

Asked about his motivation for this solo adventure, Robin says: “There are Biosphere Reserves all over the world and of course in Germany, too, but never have I seen anything like this! I learned that this is the largest freshwater archipelago on earth and after I saw some of the countless and beautiful islands, I definitely believe it. So I am really glad to be an intern for the Biosphere for half a year as part of my study program and to help promote it in every way I can. That includes visiting the people that live in it, and for me there is no better way for doing that than taking a kayak!”

Volunteers on the board of directors for the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (which is a non-profit organization) appreciate having Robin conduct this innovative awareness campaign. The managers, Greg Mason and Becky Pollock agree: “It is one of our big tasks to communicate what a UNESCO biosphere reserve is all about,” says Ms. Pollock, “and Robin will do that through his contacts, conversations and presentations along the route. He will remind people that we are not only about preserving unique ecosystems, like National Parks do, but we have a mandate to support sustainable economic development and healthy and vibrant communities in the region. The survey Robin will be conducting is meant to give information about how well known the Biosphere Reserve has become since its designation by UNESCO in 2004.”

The campaign outfitting is kindly donated by White Squall Paddling Centre. It has been an expert-hub for gear and sea kayaking trips on the Bay for 26 years and is an example of how to run a green business within a World Biosphere Reserve. “We had Robin join us on trips and help us on some occasions, so we are confident that he will master the 200 km all alone in a kayak. But the Bay can be very rough and you definitely need good preparation, good skills and appropriate gear to avoid life-threatening situations out there. Some areas are very remote and if you are blown out into open water by a summer storm, it takes a long time until you hit land again!” says Tim Dyer, owner of White Squall.

“Have You Seen This Paddler?”

The whole trip will be documented daily on the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve Facebook page. Because the exact route will be determined by wind and weather, everyone living on the Bay is invited to announce sightings of Robin on Facebook. He also plans several events and presentations along the way, including a launch at the French River and a welcome in Port Severn.

“When I look at a map of the whole Georgian Bay now, I realize even more how big a trip this will be, so I am getting more and more excited about it,” admits Robin. “But one thing is for sure: I am looking forward to meeting some of the people living in this wonderful place, to talk to them and to think about ways to keep this place for both people and nature.”

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Media contact:

Becky Pollock, GBBR Communications Manager

Phone: (705) 774.0978

Email: rpollock@gbbr.ca

The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve stretches from Port Severn to the French River and is meant to be a model of sustainable development through conservation, community development, education and research. For information visit: www.gbbr.ca.