Biosphere Background

Biosphere Reserves are areas of the earth promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by national governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Biosphere reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing:

• A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

• A development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;
  
  
• A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.
  
  

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve was designated in November 2002. It was the 3rd in Ontario, the 15th in Canada, and one of over 550 around the world. Examples of others in Canada are Clayoquot Sound, Riding Mountain, Mont-St. Hilaire and Southwest Nova.

We accomplish our work by networking natural and historic conservation organizations, the myriad of economic and social development groups, and the educational and scientific community with the overall objective of helping to guide the community towards a more integrated and sustainable approach to living on earth.