A “Biosphere Reserve” is an international designation of recognition from UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) for an area in the world which is deemed to demonstrate a “balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.” By this … Continue reading →

Increases national and international recognition of our communities as a good place to live, work and visit. Our high profile as a tourist destination will increase. Promotes economic development in a sustainable way. Gives government and non-government organizations more power … Continue reading →

We are volunteers who have worked to have the Bras d’Or Lake and its watershed designated as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. We now oversee the activities of the Biosphere Reserve. We are a registered society in the … Continue reading →

A nomination document was prepared over a 2 year period, following the guide presented by UNESCO. The Nomination was submitted (June 2010) to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO). They directed their “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) Committee to evaluate … Continue reading →

No. Activities (building construction, water course impacts, shoreline manipulation etc.) are already regulated by your municipal, provincial and federal laws.  At the present time, NGO’s are working with municipal governments to establish consistent development guidelines in order to protect the … Continue reading →

The activities of the Biosphere Reserve will be overseen by the BLBRA working with other local organizations already focusing on conservation, sustainable development, and capacity building (research, monitoring and education) in their programs.

The boundary of the proposed biosphere reserve defines the watershed for the Bras d’Or Lake. It is a line that joins the high points of land all around the Lake. If rain falls inside the line, it runs toward the … Continue reading →

It is NOT a new level of bureaucracy It is NOT a World Heritage Site It does NOT create any new regulations It does NOT restrict the rights of citizens- aboriginal or non-aboriginal It does NOT create new protected areas

Once awarded the designation of a biosphere reserve, the organization overseeing the biosphere reserve will promote the ongoing activities in the area, facilitate new projects, develop the cooperation plan and maintain strong local networks. Promote conservation This will already be … Continue reading →

Biosphere reserves have three major functions: conservation, economic development, and capacity building. Conservation of countrysides, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation. Economic development – that is socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable. Logistic support/Capacity building for research, monitoring, education, and training activities … Continue reading →