Title: Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
1Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
An Introduction
- Dr. Bob Maher
- Chairman
- Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association
(SNBRA) - Senior Research Scientist Applied Geomatics
Research Group (AGRG)
2Brief Outline
- What is the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
(SNBR) - UNESCO-MAB program and a definition of the term
Biosphere Reserve - Functions of the Biosphere
- Structure of the SNBR (geographic biological
cultural and administrative) - Projects partnerships and community involvement
- Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
3The UNESCO-MAB Program
- United Nations Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organization- Man and the Biosphere - There are 531 biospheres distributed between 105
countries all working toward a common purpose
- Reduce loss of
- biodiversity
- Improve quality of life
- Enhance environmental sustainability
4What is a Biosphere Reserve
- Areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems
recognised by UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere
Program as being uniquely important culturally
and ecologically while promoting solutions to
reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with
its sustainable use.
They are places for promoting demonstrating a
balanced relationship between people and nature.
5Functions of a Biosphere Reserve
- Three Main Functions
- -Conservation contribute to the conservation of
landscapes ecosystems biodiversity. - -Development to foster economic and human
development which is socio-culturally and
ecologically sustainable - -Logistic Support provide support for research
monitoring education and information exchange
related to local national and global issues of
conservation and development
6Structure of the Biosphere
- Biosphere Reserves are arranged into three
interrelated zones - The core area
- The buffer zone
- The transition area
7Where Does the SNBR fit in relative to the Rest
of Canada
- The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR) is
one of 15 Biosphere Reserves in Canada.
It is the second largest and the most Easterly.
8The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
- In September 2001 the region of Southwest Nova
received designation as a UNESCO-MAB Biosphere
Reserve - The SNBR is made up by the five counties of
Annapolis Digby Yarmouth Shelburne and Queens - Kejimikujik National Park and National Historic
Site and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area serve as
the core conservation areas.
9Mission Statement
The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association
- The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
Association (SNBRA) will seek to balance the
conservation of natural and cultural heritage
with sustainable resource development to support
prosperous local economies and healthy
communities.
10SNBRA Governance
- Each biosphere has its own system of governance
to ensure it meets - its functions and objectives
- SNBRA Board of Directors
- (7) Municipal Government First Nations
- 5 Municipal Councillors
- Annapoils Digby Yarmouth Shelburne Queens
- 2 First Nations Appointees
- (7) Industry Development Directors
- Industry Community and Development Agencies
- (7) Non-Government Directors
- Environmental NGOs
- Education Institutions
- Culture Heritage
11Why Do We Need Biosphere Reserves
- Biosphere Reserves are designed to respond to the
challenge of balancing economic interests with
the needs of conservation. They provide the
opportunity to experiment to do things a new way
while sharing the lessons we learn with the
larger world community.
- They are regions committed to voluntary
participation and to the goals of sustainable
development - - to provide for the needs of today while also
enabling healthy and productive communities in
the future.
12Benefits of Biosphere Reserves
- Support for innovative programs
- Encourage sustainable development
- Improves communication within the region
- Fosters local pride and empowerment
- Attracts new industry research funding and
interest - Puts a place firmly on the worlds map
- Brings positive national and international
recognition to the area - Distinguishes the region as a special and unique
place one deserving of the prestige of being
designated a Biosphere Reserve - Increases the probability of healthy communities
and sustainable livelihoods
13Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
- The SNBR is unique and
- worthy of its biosphere
- designation for several reasons
- - It is one of the most
important ancestral areas for the
Mikmaq First Nation.
- - Forestry tourism and conservation are major
activities in the area. It takes perseverance
innovation and commitment to reconcile these
various interests.
- Scientific interest
14Current Projects
- Youth Outreach
- Community Engagement
- Public Awareness
- Sustainable Tourism
- Green Certification
- Community mapping and Atlas Project
15Partners of the SNBRA
- Environment Canada
- Parks Canada
- Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI)
- Friends of Keji
- DesBrisay Museum
- Dalhousie University
- Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association (CBRA)
- Nova Scotia Power Incorporated (NSPI)
- Tobeatic Wilderness Committee
- Destination Southwest Nova
- Bowater Mersey
- Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
- Nova Scotia Community College
- Acadia University
- MacDonald Museum
- Mersey River Chalets
- Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour
- Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
- Tusket River Environment al Protection Agency
(TREPA) - Queens County Fish Game
16Related Websites
- UNESCO-MAB www.unesco.org/mab/
- KEJI www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik
- Specie at risk www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca
- SNBRA www.snbra.ca
17Applied Geomatics Research Group
(AGRG)
18Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
19Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
20Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
21For More Information
Please Contact Dr. Bob Maher Senior
Research Scientist Applied Geomatics Research
Group (AGRG) Middleton NS Email
robert.maher_at_nscc.ca Phone 825-5477 Maegan
Power-Noble Project Coordinator Southwest Nova
Biosphere Reserve Association (SNBRA) Middleton
NS Email maegan.power-noble_at_nscc.ca
22Thank you very much
