In September, members of our staff and board joined representatives from UNESCO biosphere regions across Europe and North America for EuroMAB 2026. The biennial gathering rotates between host biosphere regions and was held in Canada, in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region.
The theme, Interwoven Futures: Co-creating sustainability with nature and communities, centred on a simple but powerful idea: the best solutions emerge when different forms of knowledge come together. Throughout the week, participants explored how Indigenous, scientific, local, and intergenerational perspectives can help create stronger communities, healthier ecosystems, and a more sustainable future.
The week was filled with thought-provoking presentations, engaging workshops, and opportunities to learn from leaders and practitioners across the biosphere network. Equally valuable were the conversations that happened between sessions, over coffee, during meals, and while exploring the region. These informal moments helped strengthen connections, spark new ideas, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
One message resonated throughout the week: although biosphere regions operate in very different settings, many are working through similar questions. How do we support thriving communities while protecting biodiversity? How do we build meaningful partnerships? How do we plan for future generations?
While the answers vary from place to place, the willingness to learn from one another was a source of inspiration. Hearing real-world examples from other regions demonstrated the value of working as a network, sharing experiences, and discovering solutions that can be adapted to local contexts.
And of course, no international gathering would be complete without food.
A highlight of the week was the cultural evening, where each biosphere region shared something representative of home. Rebecca Hurwitz, our Executive Director, and board member Clare Stone proudly represented the West Coast with smoked salmon and locally made Tofino Kombucha. It was a simple but memorable way to celebrate the diversity of the biosphere network and connect through stories, traditions, and shared experiences.
"EuroMAB reminds us that we are part of a global community working toward the same goal: creating a future where people and nature can thrive together. The conversations, ideas, and relationships built during the week will continue to inspire our work."– Rebecca Hurwitz, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Executive Director
Following the conference, some participants extended their visit and travelled to the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. We were delighted to welcome biosphere representatives from around the world and share some of the ecosystems, biodiversity, and knowledge that make this place so special. As always, these visits led to rich conversations and a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways communities are working toward ecosystem and community health.
A heartfelt thank you to the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for organizing such an inspiring event. Bringing together hundreds of participants from around the world is no small task, and we are grateful for the care, thoughtfulness, and hospitality that made the week such a success. We also extend our thanks to the Qualicum and Snaw-naw-as First Nations for welcoming participants to their territory.
We returned home energized by new ideas, renewed relationships, and a stronger sense of what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose. EuroMAB 2026 was a reminder that meaningful change happens through collaboration, and that we can accomplish far more as a network than we can alone.
