Our Networks
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region is proud to be a member of the following regional, national, and international networks. These networks allow for collaboration and knowledge sharing, and help us work towards our strategic objectives.
World Networks
World Network of Biosphere Reserves
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is a dynamic and interactive community of sites of excellence, managed by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO. The Network promotes synergies between human societies and natural ecosystems, facilitating sustainable development through participatory dialogue, knowledge exchange, poverty alleviation, improvements of human well-being, the preservation of cultural values, and the reinforcement of societal resilience in the face of global change.
Thematic networks bring together biosphere reserves that share environmental, ecosystemic, geopolitical and cultural similarities:
World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves
Launched in 2009, the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves aims to study, foster and disseminate island and coastal strategies to preserve biodiversity and heritage to promote sustainable development, and adaptation and mitigation strategies on climate change. With more than 80 biosphere reserves in 30 countries, the network's Technical Secretariat is shared by Jeju Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Korea) and Menorca Biosphere Reserve (Spain).
World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves
The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR) combines unique perspectives and cultures from diverse mountain ecosystems with a common framework for the conservation of natural and human environments in a context of sustainability. The WNMBR provides a channel for communication and collaboration that fosters the exchange of knowledge and experience among mountain biosphere reserves around the world, providing a basis for international research projects and enabling solutions to common challenges.
EuroMAB
EuroMAB includes all European and North American member states in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. It is the largest and oldest of the nine regional and inter-regional MAB Networks. EuroMAB includes a biennial four-day conference for stakeholders from over 300 UNESCO biosphere reserves in 41 countries across Europe and North America. Meetings of the MAB National Committees and biosphere reserve coordinators of EuroMAB have taken place almost every two years since 1986.
EuroMAB conferences are an opportunity for participants to meet and discuss collective approaches to managing the interactions between people and nature to support the conservation of biodiversity, and to test innovative solutions to promote sustainable development.
Canadian Biosphere Region Association
Created in 1997, the Canadian Biosphere Region Association (CBRA) is the national organization representing Canada's network of 19 UNESCO-designated biosphere regions. CBRA stands as both as an organization in its own right and as the collective voice of Canada’s 19 UNESCO-designated biosphere regions. Its mission is to raise the collective profile and capacity of Canada’s UNESCO Biosphere regions as leaders in reconciling relationships with the natural environment and with diverse cultures. On a day-to-day basis, CBRA provides support to Canadian biosphere regions, creates opportunities for sharing within the network, and promotes the local work of the regions in order to raise awareness of the collective impact of biosphere regions across the country.
Mid Island Stewardship Caucus
The Mid Island Stewardship Caucus (MISC) was founded in 2021 by Paul Chapman (Nanaimo & Area Land Trust) and Ceri Peacey (Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society). MISC was formed to allow environmental organizations in the mid-Island region to connect, collaborate, and share resources and expertise.
MISC allows members to come together and discuss stewardship activities and initiatives, ensure efforts are not being duplicated, identify gaps and support each other to achieve our goals. The MABR is one of the ten founding member organizations.