IK2: Harnessing the power of Canada’s biosphere reserves for sustainable development, conservation, and reconciliation

There are 669 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves around the world - 18 of them are in Canada and 4 in Ontario. While sometimes thought of as solely conservation organizations or protected areas, Canadian biosphere reserves are in fact intended to be model regions for sustainable development. Few people are aware that the true power of a biosphere reserve is to inspire positive relationships between urban and natural systems and the stakeholders that live, work, and play there. This presentation will discuss the function of biosphere reserves and spark a discussion on how they can be utilised as an asset to both regional and municipal planners in the areas of sustainable development, conservation, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. I will be sharing personal experience from working for the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and its affiliated research institute at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, BC.
 

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