Sector board volunteers are the latest in a long line of contributors to life in the Noosa Biosphere. Please add acknowledgements to the Noosa Wiki
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Boronia Keysii © Stephanie Haslam
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UNESCO Man and the Biosphere
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is a world-recognised global organisation. One of their high profile programs is called Man and the Biosphere (MAB). Established in 1977, it promotes an interdisciplinary approach to research, training and communications in ecosystem conservation and rational use of natural resources.
It recognises those places in the world that are actively addressing the many challenges resulting from human development. The aim is to help us all determine what it means to live in a conscious, healthy and sustainable way.
There are more than 550 biosphere reserves in more than 100 countries.
Every biosphere reserve has 3 objectives:- conservation – in terms of genetic resources, species and ecosystems
- sustainable development – economic, environmental, human and cultural
- learning – research, monitoring, environmental education and training.
Steps to Recognition
In July 2006 the former Noosa Shire Council agreed to create a nomination for the establishment of Noosa Biosphere Reserve. In November 2006, the Mayor of Noosa, Cr Bob Abbot signed an agreement with the Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Heritage, Hon Greg Hunt MP; Local Federal Member, the Hon. Alex Somlyay MP; Tony Haslam (NICA) and Dr Michael Gloster (Noosa Parks Association) to progress the development of a nomination for the establishment of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
In December 2006 a draft of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Nomination was made publicly available for comment for 2 months. The period for comments closed during the first week of February 2007. A final version of the nomination was then endorsed by the Noosa Council, the Queensland Government and Australian Government before being forwarded to UNESCO in April 2007.
At the 19th session of the Man and the Biosphere International Coordinating Council held on 23 – 27 October 2007 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve submission was endorsed.
Noosa Biosphere Limited was formally incorporated and established in December 2008.
Biosphere Community
Noosa Biosphere Reserve is one of over 550 worldwide. UNESCO Australia is very active within the network and has been heavily involved with establishing the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS). There are currently 15 biosphere reserves in Australia.
Noosa Biosphere Reserve was Queensland’s first. We are collaborating closely with the neighbouring Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve and we will share our learnings globally.
Benefits to Noosa
Biosphere status cements Noosa’s global profile as a very special place to visit. It creates opportunities for the local eco-tourism industry and makes Noosa more attractive to potential ‘green’ investors, encouraging new jobs.
With biosphere backing, the action plans created by the sector boards will carry more weight within the community and there will be enhanced opportunities to share best practice with other biosphere reserves around the world.
If the Noosa Biosphere Reserve is judged a success, it will have raised awareness of sustainability issues amongst the people of Noosa and with the many annual visitors to Noosa. That in itself aims to benefit many communities overall by helping to safeguard the future through better understanding.
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Acknowledgements
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