Menu

UNESCO Biosphere Region Toolkit (with images)

Here is a resource for local businesses and organizations to help highlight the significance of the UNESCO Biosphere Region.

Website Content

Short version

Clayoquot Sound was designated a UNESCO biosphere region in 2000 in recognition of the global significance of the region and our commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and reconciliation. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust stewards the designation and is the only organization in Canada that is both a Community Foundation and UNESCO biosphere region.

Long version

Clayoquot Sound is a place of unparalleled beauty and abundant biodiversity, rich with cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. This place is a conservation priority on a global scale and encompasses some of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, vital for climate resiliency and biodiversity. It provides a pristine west coast habitat for hundreds of species, many of which are endangered, vulnerable, or threatened.

Clayoquot Sound was designated a UNESCO biosphere region in 2000 in recognition of the global significance of the region and our commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and reconciliation. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust stewards the designation and is the only organization in Canada that is both a community foundation and a UNESCO biosphere region.

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and promotes knowledge sharing that contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda.

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

Social media content

Option 1

Did you know that ______ is located within the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region? This area was designated in 2000 to recognize the global significance and uniqueness of the region and our 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.

This place holds unparalleled beauty and abundant biodiversity, rich with cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. It is a conservation priority on a global scale and encompasses some of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, vital for climate resiliency and biodiversity. It provides a pristine west coast habitat for hundreds of species, many of which are endangered, vulnerable, or threatened.

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

#clayoquotbiosphereregion #UNESCObiosphere

Option 2

We are located within the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Have you heard of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)?

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

#clayoquotbiosphereregion #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 would like a white or a higher resolution logo, 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.

Click HERE for the PDF version of this toolkit. 

New Signage: Welcoming You to the Haḥuułi of the Five Central Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations

September 9, 2024
If you’ve driven from Port Alberni to the coast recently, you may have noticed a new sign 2km before you arrive at “the junction.” The sign welcomes you to the ḥaḥuułi of the five central region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations — hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) — where the biosphere region is designated. 

Announcing the 2024 Vital Grants

September 5, 2024
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Vital Grants. This year, the CBT awarded $80,000 in funding to three inspiring projects in the region. These grants focus on addressing regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. They also aim to support meaningful, longer-term collaboration between organizations, communities, and cultures.

Announcing the Community Prosperity Fund Recipients

September 3, 2024
We are pleased to announce that $125,000 in funding was distributed to support three projects in the region through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities.

Announcing the 2024 Biosphere Research Award

August 29, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Biosphere Research Award. This year, the CBT awarded $20,000 in funding to Ha’oom Fisheries Society for their Coho Vitality Project.

Join our Team!

August 27, 2024
*This position has been filled!  The construction of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre creates an opportunity to exemplify the richness of the region’s cultures in a physical space, providing opportunities for all local artists to preserve culture and traditional knowledge, while creating accessible economic opportunities through art. The Art Program Coordinator engages community members and partners with the goal to plan, gather, and supervise the creation and installation of art in the future building in scale with available funding.

Newsletter Feature: World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions

August 26, 2024
We’re honored to have been featured in the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions newsletter! This spotlight highlights the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Center and the ongoing efforts in the region to reduce plastic pollution, alongside our collaborative stewardship initiatives. Read more!

Announcing the 2024 Arts & Culture Grants

August 20, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts and Culture grants. This year, eleven inspiring projects in our region have been awarded a total of $30,000 in funding. These grants focus on supporting arts and cultural activities that encourage inter-generational participation. They aim to promote cross-community and cross-cultural engagement, facilitate learning and teaching opportunities, and strengthen arts capacity through workshops, collaborations, and education. Additionally, these grants prioritize equity-seeking initiatives that address barriers to equal access and participation in the arts, focusing on BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. 

Announcing the 2024 Youth & Education Grants

August 9, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Youth and Education grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $52,000 in funding to eleven inspiring projects in the region. These grants aim to address urgent needs for youth, as highlighted in CBT's 2023 Vital Signs report. They focus on building capacity, providing education and training opportunities, and fostering connections among youth across communities in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Additionally, the grants support youth-driven projects and promote education and discussion around multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and diversity.

Join our Team!

July 24, 2024
*This position has been filled!  We’re looking for an Executive and Finance Assistant to support the CBT across all program areas. The successful candidate will coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the CBT office, creating a welcoming space, hosting events, updating administrative practices, and maintaining records. They will work closely with the Executive Director to support the Board of Directors, as well as work closely with the Finance Coordinator to assist with bookkeeping processes. The Executive and Finance Assistant will work across the CBT to support our programs and events. Apply now!

Announcing the 2024 Community Development Grants

July 23, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Development grants. This year, five outstanding projects in our region have been awarded a total of $24,000 in funding. These grants are dedicated to fostering accessible, inclusive, healthy, supportive, equitable, and sustainable communities, helping to build a stronger and more united region.

Announcing the 2024 Research & Environment Grants

July 17, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Research and Environment grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $36,000 in funding to six inspiring projects in the region. These projects address threats to key species and ecosystems and uplift nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) ways of knowing. Efforts also focus on habitat conservation, restoration, and protection for ecologically and culturally important species and ecosystems.

Welcoming our 2024 Summer Intern

July 15, 2024
We're excited to welcome Zahur Ashrafuzzaman (she/he/they), our new summer intern who is already making valuable contributions to a variety of projects across the organization!

Our Team's Experience at EuroMAB 2024

June 11, 2024
In early June 2024, two members of the CBT team, Colin Robinson and Janessa Dornstauder had the opportunity to attend EuroMAB 2024 in the Elbe River Landscape, Germany – a UNESCO Biosphere. Because there are so few countries in North America, Canada, and the USA participate in the European network, while Mexico participates in the Latin network. Read more about their experience! 

Marcie Callewaert Reflects on her Leadership Journey

May 6, 2024
“Participating in LVI gave me back my leadership confidence that I had lost somewhere along the way. It was a great reminder of what I am capable of and provided me with tools to strengthen my skills as I move forward in new roles. Because of LVI, I took chances that I never would have taken just a few years ago and they paid off! I am so thankful for the community of support that LVI creates during the program and in the months and years afterwards."