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What is a UNESCO biosphere region?

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.

 

Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region

Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region Clayoquot Biosphere TrustPhoto credits: Ben Grayzel

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.

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.

History

Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region Designation 2000 Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

The Clayoquot Sound 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 our region with a long-term commitment to sustainability.

For decades, Clayoquot Sound has been on the international stage. Conflict over the use of natural resources created divisions that continue to heal. Confronted with declining natural resource stocks, but a continued need to make a living from forestry and fishing activities, local community members started seeking better and alternative ways of doing things. In the 1990s, a small but passionate group of individuals began considering the UNESCO Biosphere model.

In January 2000, with the support of local First Nations, communities, and the federal and provincial governments, Clayoquot Sound was designated as the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region (CSBR). The CSBR designation acknowledges aboriginal title and rights and does not prejudice ongoing treaty negotiations. While the UNESCO designation does not provide legislated protection, it provides a framework for bringing the region together through innovative education programs, community and ecosystem health research, and support for resident-led initiatives.

To mark this designation, in May 2000 the federal government entrusted a $12 million grant to Clayoquot Sound communities through the creation of the Canada Fund. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust manages this endowment fund to uphold the spirit and intent of the biosphere region designation through innovative education programs, research into sustainability, and annual grant-making to organizations within the CSBR. Learn more about the history of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region designation by reading our timeline.

In 2012, CBT joined Community Foundations of Canada, an association of 191 community foundations across Canada that provides networking, resources, expertise, funding, and opportunities for its members. Since becoming the regional community foundation, CBT has worked with donors to create a diversity of community funds while gaining capacity as a grant-making organization, all with the goal of leveraging its invested funds for the region’s communities and ecosystems.

Biosphere Zonation

Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region Zonation (2020) Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) requires each biosphere region to have appropriate zonation that includes: 

  • a legally constituted core area or areas devoted to long-term protection of biodiversity, monitoring, and research according to the conservation objectives of the biosphere region;
  • a buffer zone or zones clearly identified and surrounding or contiguous to the core area or areas, where only activities compatible with the conservation objectives can take place, such as environmental education, research, and ecotourism; and
  • an outer transition area where communities engage in sustainable economic activities.

The zonation continues to evolve recognizing the changing conservation and cultural landscape in the region and reflecting newly legislated land management and protection.

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UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was created in 1945 in the wake of the Second World War. UNESCO champions equity, peace, and sustainable development by sparking and deepening dialogue among nations in areas such as education, culture, communication, and information as well as the natural, human, and social sciences. It relies on a network of country-based National Commissions around the world to carry out its mandate locally. The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme was created in 1971 to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments. 

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Canadian Commission for UNESCO logo CCUNESCO

Canadian Commission for UNESCO

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) upholds UNESCO values and priorities in Canada while bringing the voices of Canadian civil society to the international stage. Every ten years, UNESCO biosphere reserves, known as biosphere regions in Canada, are mandated by UNESCO to undergo a periodic review providing an overview of their contributions and assessing their compliance with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). CCUNESCO serves as the vital bridge between the MAB Programme and Canada’s 19 biosphere regions, monitoring periodic reviews and new nominations. CUNESCO also promotes the value of UNESCO designations to government agencies and identifies opportunities to showcase Canadian biosphere regions on the international stage.

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Canadian Biosphere Regions Association

Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association Map

Canada’s 19 UNESCO biosphere regions inspire a positive future by connecting people and nature today. The Canadian Biosphere Regions Association (CBRA) serves as a strong voice for, and champion of, the biosphere regions in our network. At the national level, CBRA brings shared knowledge to federal and provincial government policymakers who can help promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, reconciliation, and climate action.

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