UNESCO Biosphere Region Toolkit

Website Content

Short Version

The Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region (CSBR) is one of British Columbia’s three biosphere regions and one of 19 in Canada. Globally, over 750 biosphere regions across more than 135 countries, including several transboundary sites, are part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Regions. Designated in 2000, the CSBR is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, as well as its historical and traditional significance. The designation highlights Clayoquot Sound’s role as a global conservation priority, essential for climate resilience, reconciliation, and conservation. This region’s delicate balance between human communities and the natural environment is a testament to the sustainable practices and harmonious relationships fostered by Indigenous stewardship. 

The purpose of a UNESCO biosphere region is to reconcile the conservation of natural and cultural diversity with economic and social development, fostering a balanced connection between humans and the environment by encouraging dialogue, sharing knowledge, reducing poverty, increasing human well-being, respecting cultural assets, and enhancing capacity to cope with climate change. 

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust is the local organization that stewards the spirit and intent of the UNESCO biosphere designation and is the only organization in Canada that is both a community foundation and a UNESCO biosphere region.

For more information visit: clayoquotbiosphere.org/our-biosphere-region/overview 

Long Version

The Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region (CSBR) is one of British Columbia’s three biosphere regions and one of 19 in Canada. Globally, over 750 biosphere regions across more than 135 countries, including several transboundary sites, are part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Regions. Notable examples include the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, Serengeti-Ngorongoro in Tanzania, and Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Designated in 2000, the CSBR is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, as well as its historical and traditional significance. The designation highlights Clayoquot Sound’s role as a global conservation priority, essential for climate resilience, reconciliation, and conservation. The region, home to some of the world's last remaining old-growth coastal temperate rainforests, provides crucial habitat for many endangered, vulnerable, and threatened species. As development pressures on old-growth forests increase globally, the ecological importance of Clayoquot Sound is even more critical.

This region’s delicate balance between human communities and the natural environment is a testament to the sustainable practices and harmonious relationships fostered by Indigenous stewardship. The CSBR is designated in the traditional territories of the hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht First Nation), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ(Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (Ucluelet First Nation), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht Nation), who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial.

A UNESCO biosphere region is a globally recognized site under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, dedicated to fostering a balanced relationship between people and the environment. Biosphere regions are areas that are distinguished for their exceptional natural and cultural value. They are exclusively designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and hold internationally recognized status. The UNESCO designation highlights their contribution to global efforts in sustainability and conservation, ensuring that these areas remain special places to live, work, and visit. It’s important to note that the designation does not give UNESCO any control or rights over the biosphere regions, but brings recognition and an opportunity to network with sites with shared values nationally and internationally.

The purpose of a UNESCO biosphere region is to reconcile the conservation of natural and cultural diversity with economic and social development, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment by encouraging dialogue, sharing knowledge, reducing poverty, increasing human well-being, respecting cultural assets, and enhancing capacity to cope with climate change. They are examples of sustainability, where innovative approaches to living and working in balance with nature are explored and put into practice. Each UNESCO biosphere region plays a crucial role in global efforts to preserve natural resources while supporting the well-being of local communities.

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust is the local organization that stewards the spirit and intent of the UNESCO biosphere designation and is the only organization in Canada that is both a community foundation and a UNESCO biosphere region.

For more information: clayoquotbiosphere.org/our-biosphere-region/overview

Social Media Content

Option 1

Did you know that [insert name of business/organization] is located within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region? This area was designated in 2000 to recognize the global significance and uniqueness of the region and it's commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and reconciliation. At this time, there are over 750 UNESCO-designated biosphere regions across 135+ countries, and currently 19 in Canada.

The purpose of a UNESCO biosphere region is to reconcile the conservation of natural and cultural diversity with economic and social development, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment by encouraging dialogue, sharing knowledge, reducing poverty, increasing human well-being, respecting cultural assets, and enhancing capacity to cope with climate change. They are examples of sustainability, where innovative approaches to living and working in balance with nature are explored and put into practice.

To learn more visit, https://clayoquotbiosphere.org/our-biosphere-region/overview

#ClayoquotSoundBiosphereRegion #UNESCObiosphere

Option 2

We are proud to be located within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region! This globally recognized site, exclusively designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlights the exceptional natural and cultural value of the region while promoting a balanced relationship between people and the environment. 

This region grew to become a UNESCO biosphere from a grassroots movement of a small but passionate group of community members—people who were seeking better ways of advancing the local region with a long-term commitment to sustainability. In a nutshell, the UNESCO biosphere designation is all about keeping this region a special place to live, work and visit.

To learn more, visit https://clayoquotbiosphere.org/our-biosphere-region/overview

#ClayoquotSoundBiosphereRegion #UNESCObiosphere

Social Media Images

Feel free to use the images provided or use your own pictures of the region! The images can be downloaded below, along with our logos. If you have any questions, please email marianne@clayoquotbiosphere.org. 

Please credit and tag Clayoquot Biosphere Trust on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube).

Additional information

Why use region instead of reserve?

Both at home and abroad, there's been a lot of talk about modernizing UNESCO terminology from Biosphere Reserve to Biosphere Region. In Canada, the word Reserve can have negative interpretations tied to the Indian Act and colonization. In other countries, some languages interpret it to mean an exclusive place where humans should not go. Neither of these meanings is a good fit with the mission of UNESCO Biospheres -- inspiring a positive future by connecting people and nature today.

How can you help?

If any written materials (website, brochures, etc.) mention the Biosphere designation, please change the word “Reserve” to “Region”. Let's work together to increase the vitality of the communities and ecosystems in the Biosphere Region we call home.