Noosa Biosphere ReserveOur vision

Dr Susan DavisNoosa Biosphere Limited

The work biosphere comes from ‘Bios’ from the greek ‘for life’ and ‘Sphere’ which means a globe or ball. The biosphere includes all the parts of the land, sea, and atmosphere in which organisms are able to live

All the Earth's ecosystems are considered as part of one unit. The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the land and rocks (the lithosphere), water (the hydrosphere) and the air (the atmosphere).

WHAT IS IT?Biosphere vs Biosphere Reserve

Noosa biosphere reserve – what is it? • Special UNESCO recognition – Some think of it as

World Heritage Status without the rules and regulations

• Biosphere reserves are places that have special environments BUT ALSO aim to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the environment

• Over 621 biospheres exist worldwide found in 117 countries

• Intended to be a testing grounds for actions / experimentation through the concept of ‘learning laboratories’

Whole UNESCO program in oneConflict is inherent in the concept – what’s important is how you work through that

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Biosphere Reserves – zonation system • Core zones – for

conservation, monitoring, research

• Buffer zones – for activities compatible with sound ecological practices

• Transition zones – for activities where stakeholders work together to sustainably manage resources

Conservation –environment & culture

Sustainable development

Community forum & engagement

Learning and research

Biosphere Reserves – a dynamic system

Vision• Noosa Biosphere Reserve will be a community and place that

is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a centre for learning and excellence in community engagement, sustainable economic & cultural development and environmental conservation.

Mission• Noosa Biosphere Reserve promotes a balanced relationship

between human interaction and the environment through partnerships and good governance, community engagement, innovative projects, advocacy, research and learning.

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People know the Biosphere is good for business

Quality/principled tourism & businesses,You can buy quality locally produced

products/gifts featuring local designs Businesses are proud of their accreditation

by Noosa BiosphereRetailers have biosphere logo and they

enact what it means – staff know what it mean

People are coming here because we are a destination of choice for sustainable tourism

The Noosa Biosphere brand is known

Well designed signage and interpretive maps in important

destinations & places Bins are branded

Biosphere Art Prize and exhibitions promote local arts and cultureOnline presence is pervasive

People are proud of their Biosphere People know that environment and people can co-exist People are involved in and talking about biosphere projectsPeople know the story and what UNESCO MaB status meansPeople are consciously making an effort to conserve and sustain & to communicate knowledge (Biosphere principles)Local schools have biosphere information in their curriculum and are proud of itPositive relationships with different levels of GovernmentUNESCO acknowledges our reputation & part we play in the strong network of Biosphere Reserves

People understand their environment…Knowledge about local environment, birds, animals, the community available in multiple formsRegular workshop and seminar series, biennial conference Wide range of studies, Masters and PhDs completed around Biosphere topicsGraduates of Biosphere learning and programs are in the community and around the worldKnowledge of Indigenous peoples & culture embedded in learning programs

People are actively engaged in Biosphere activitiesExtensive partnership and membership base of individuals, businesses, organisations and community groupsInvolved in Biosphere related programs, Acting for sustainability High levels of accreditation in programs such as Ecobiz, Living Smart, The Glossies Network Social diversity visible in the community and Noosa Biosphere activitiesTourism operators say ‘Welcome to the Biosphere’, and know what it means

People live in the iconic landscapesQuality, sustainable design in built environment

Planning Scheme (residential development, whole built environment) reflects Biosphere principles

Iconic natural landscapes is protected and maintained

Healthy Indigenous landscape

Noosa Biosphere

collaborative action for a

healthy community and

place

By 2020

Can you make is simpler??• A celebration of

community and environment

• Custodianship & connection

Conservation –environment & culture

Sustainable development

Community forum & engagement

Learning and research

Biosphere Reserve - multiple entry points

Where are we at? With whom?

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Social MediaBlogging, Facebook

EDUCATION RESEARCHENGAGEMENT LEARNING

SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT

CONSERVATION

Possible NICA biosphereSchool Connection

NewspaperArticles

Balance/UnbalanceConference proposal

BiosphereArt Prize

Biosphere Day Floating

Land

Info SheetsProd & Dist

Plastic BagReduction (Env)International Relationships

Biosphere friends group proposal

Noosa CommunityRadio Strengthen Partnership

With Noosa Gallery & libraries

Christie FellowsAward for Secondary

Schools

Recruitment forBoard

Food Miles (depends on funding)

Social AccountabilitySustainability

Award

Clean TechCollaboration

Business AccreditationWatching Brief (Ec)

Economic LeadershipForums (Ec)

Financial Reports

River EcologyAwareness (with Tourism Sector)?

Sector BoardMeetings – advisory role

Brand Development

Involvement in Reconciliation Action Plan

Centre of Excellence In Sustainability

Centre

ManagementReview Plan Budget Development

EDV BoundaryExtension Discussion

Partnership Players in thisRealm NICA, NDLC, SCC

SEQ Catchment, Environment Levy

Profililing heritage and environment At Balance-Unballance conference

State of theBiosphere Report – Phase I

Corporate Relationships

Advocacy to government

BusinessPlanningPartner

Program

Community Gardens

NICA FabricDesign project

Support for sustainability events and programs

Partner ProgramNext Steps

Benchmarking the Sociosphere

Climate Adaptation project and follow up

Pecha Kucha Night& community engagement

Support for UGA & other visitors

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Can we do more? With who and what?

Jeju Island Biosphere Reserve, Korea • World Heritage• Biosphere Reserve• Global GeoPark $30m Centre, $20m /year

Strategic projects and activities:• Expanded communications and knowledge sharing strategy and function;• Coordinated community forums, workshop and networking program

promoted through a calendar of events;• Coordination of research, ecology management and monitoring activities;• Expanded partnerships program with different tiers that recognise and

promote certified businesses and organisations;• Product recognition and branding;• Establishment of a Biosphere Reserve Centre (for example the Biosphere

Institute of Sustainability: Noosa); • Development of eco and knowledge based tourism; and• Identified hero projects, eg. Responding to environmental threats and

climate change.

Mr Han Qunli, Director of the UNESCO MAB program in Paris,

“From the initiation of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve we have been very interested in following the progress made in Noosa BR. We have been particularly interested in the rather unique model of governance in this Biosphere Reserve that has incorporated strong commitment from local government and community members. Of particular interest for us is the ownership that the people of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve have to this... That was one of the reasons we were prompted to invite Noosa Biosphere Reserve to participate in our World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserve management meeting last year. We see great potential for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve to play a key role in helping energise the MAB network in Australia and potentially across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Key messages• Build on Noosa’s history of custodianship• Use the UNESCO Man and Biosphere principles to underpin

our vision• It must be a partnership between govt, community, business –

There needs to be multiple entry points and levels of involvement

• It needs to be a coordinated approach• It needs to be resourced and have professional support and

standards• We’re doing okay for five years in – let’s build on it!

Noosa Biosphere Reserve – Working together as a

partnership of interests with the community, local government, industry,

education groups and tourism.