the beaver hills biosphere nomination · presenting the case for the beaver hills biosphere ......
TRANSCRIPT
1
Dr. Guy Swinnerton, Professor Emeritus University of Alberta
Chair BHI Protected Areas Working Group
Victoria, BC
April 23, 2015
www.beaverhills.ca
The Beaver Hills Biosphere Nomination: Guidelines for preparing and submitting a
biosphere reserve nomination
Presentation Outline
www.beaverhills.ca 2
The Beaver Hills
Regional location – geopolitical and landscape
The Beaver Hills Initiative
Evolution, vision and mission
Achievements
Biosphere Reserves
MAB programme and the nomination process
Presenting the case for the Beaver Hills Biosphere
Preparing the nomination form
Meeting the nomination criteria
Closing comments
The location of the Beaver Hills in relation to the five local municipal government authorities
8.5% 5.3%
7.9% 4.6%
43.9% 55.2%
12.1% 100.0%
19.8% 8.7%
7.8% 3.4%
Key
% % of Beaver Hills area by County
% Beaver Hills as % of County area
Beaver Hills Initiative
• Catalyst – 2000: Proposed development in proximity to Elk Island National Park
• Recognition of the need to develop a collaborative strategy that would develop a proactive and long term approach to land-use planning within the Beaver Hills Moraine
• BHI – 2002: Stakeholder workshop results in a vision and mission statement and partner commitments
www.beaverhills.ca 7
BHI: Vision & Mission
Our Vision
• The Beaver Hills Initiative values the region for its natural beauty, quality of life, and supports co-operative efforts to sustain quality of water, land, air, natural resources and community development
Our Mission
• Working together for a sustainable region, through shared initiatives and coordinated action
www.beaverhills.ca 8
Beaver Hills Initiative: Working Together
Authority for decision-making rests with each municipality.
BHI does NOT make decisions for the municipalities or any of the other partners.
BHI acts in a supporting role by providing science-based information and a “tool box” to decision makers.
Cooperation and teamwork is key.
Recognition of the varied skill sets and expertise of all partners.
Leverage in-kind expertise, resources and grant funding.
BHI Partners - 2015
Government
(3 levels)
Academia/ Research
Industry
NGOs
4 Counties 4 Provincial Depts. 2 Federal (including EINP)
University of Alberta (Main & Augustana Campus) Alberta Innovates Technology Futures
Fort Air Partnership Strathcona Industrial Association
10 Groups: DUC AFG NCC NSWA BH Dark Sky Preserve …
Local communities
The Public
10
BOARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FISCAL AGENT
WORKING GROUPS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PLA
NN
ERS
PR
OTE
CTE
D
AR
EAS
LOC
AL
CO
MM
UN
ITY
EN
GA
GEM
ENT
&
REP
RES
ENTA
TIO
N
RES
EAR
CH
&
MO
NIT
OR
ING
CO
UN
CIL
LOR
S
CO
MM
UN
ICA
TIO
N &
O
UTR
EAC
H
BHI Organizational Chart
11
12 www.beaverhills.ca
BHI Sources of Funding Partner Funding 2014
• $136,243.50
• Strathcona, Beaver, Lamont Counties
(Covers operational costs)
Grant Funding for projects and research 2002-2014
• $1.0 million
• Alberta Municipal Affairs, Elk Island National Park,
Ag Canada, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation,
Carthy Foundation, Williams Energy
In-kind support 2002-2014
• $1.5 million
12
13 www.beaverhills.ca
BHI Benefits Member Recognition
EINP: species at risk conservation
Alberta Minister’s Award for Municipal Excellence (2005)
Alberta Emerald Award Finalist (2005, 2007)
Provincial, national, and international conferences (ICLEI -2009, ISSRM-2012)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) case study area for ‘collective action’ (2011)
13
14 www.beaverhills.ca
BHI Benefits Specific Outcomes
Sustainable Land Management Application of science-based information to strategic
and site-specific land-use planning (LMF)
Transfer of Development Credits (TDC) Model
Diversification of economic opportunity – Sustainable Tourism (TDOA)
Collaboration capacity Miquelon Growth Management Plan
Protected Areas Cooperation Plan
Miquelon Lake Research Station
Public – private collaboration Stewardship Engagement Strategy
Mesocarnivore Project
Golden Ranches Conservation Site
14
www.beaverhills.ca
• Why?
• The conditions of the “place” favour the potential realization of the benefits of becoming a Biosphere Reserve
• Vision and mission of BHI mirrors Biosphere programme
• BHI has allowed us to link research science with applied conservation and land use planning
BHI Biosphere
15
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) • Biosphere Reserves are the only global
designation or accreditation for an area demonstrating excellence in sustainable development in practice.
• Global network: 631 Biosphere Reserves in
119 countries (16 in Canada) 14 Trans-boundary Biosphere Reserves
involving 23 countries.
www.beaverhills.ca 16
2008
A coordinated World Network of Biosphere Reserves integrating
humans and nature to foster sustainable development through participation, well-being, cultural
values, and society’s capacity to cope with change
Man & Biosphere (MAB) Programme Vision Statement
Biosphere Reserves: Structure & Function
Three inter-connected functions 1. Conservation: landscapes,
ecosystems, species & genetic variation, cultural diversity and heritage
2. Logistic support: (Capacity
building) research, monitoring, education, training, information exchange and demonstration projects
3. Development: socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human development
Demonstrating sustainable development:
Living and working in harmony with people and nature
Adapted from Bullock (2007)
Core
Buffer
Transition
Biosphere Reserves Conceptual Representation
www.beaverhills.ca 19
Lived-in and working landscape
Zone of cooperation
www.beaverhills.ca 20
Biosphere Reserves constitute a network of world class places for people and nature
Typical Governance Structure for a Biosphere Reserve
Working Groups
Secretariat & Coordinating
team
Executive Group
Biodiversity
Economy
Society
Research
Others ?
Community and
Environment Biosphere Reserve Board
Local community engagement and representation
Source: Adapted from Bell, Bolomey & Courtney (2013)
Sustainable development:
Living and working in harmony with people
and nature
Promoting local & regional
economies
Research/science
management & local knowledge
Promoting biodiversity &
cultural heritage
Inter- agency & inter - jurisdictional
cooperation
Active involvement of local & regional
communities
Promoting international
cooperation & networking
Promoting environmental education and stewardship
International recognition as a
unique brand
Biosphere Benefits
24
25 www.beaverhills.ca
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Organizational Structure
MAB ICC (UNESCO)
IACBR (UNESCO)
Canadian Commission for UNESCO
Euro MAB
Canada MAB (advisory)
CBRA (advocacy)
MAB ICC – MAB governing body, the International Co-ordinating Council IACBR – International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves CBRA - Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association
25
Biosphere Reserves: Designation Procedure 1. Biosphere reserves are designated for inclusion in the Network by the International
Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the MAB programme in accordance with the following procedure:
a) States, through National MAB Committees where appropriate, forward nominations
with supporting documentation to the secretariat after having reviewed potential sites, taking into account the criteria as defined in Article 4;
b) the secretariat verifies the content and supporting documentation: in the case of
incomplete nomination, the secretariat requests the missing information from the nominating State;
c) nominations will be considered by the Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves for
recommendation to ICC; d) ICC of the MAB programme takes a decision on nominations for designation. The Director-General of UNESCO notifies the State concerned of the decision of ICC .
MAB Programme Key Documents
www.beaverhills.ca 27
The Seville Strategy (1995) and the Statutory Framework of the World Network
The Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (2008 – 2013) Climate change
Provision of ecosystem services
Urbanization as a principal driver for ecosystem-wide-pressures
The MAB Strategy 2015‐2025 (draft) 1. Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, ecosystem
services and natural resources
2. Support climate change mitigation and adaptation action
3. Promote the development and applications of sustainability science
4. Contribute to building green economies, societies and human settlements
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
1. Encompasses a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major bio-geographic regions, including a gradation of human interventions.
www.beaverhills.ca 28
Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest
Central Aspen Parkland
Beaver Hills
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
2. Should be of significance for biological diversity conservation.
www.beaverhills.ca 29
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
3. Provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development at a regional scale.
www.beaverhills.ca 30
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
4. An appropriate size to serve the three functions of biosphere reserves: (1) conservation (2) development (3) logistic support
www.beaverhills.ca 31
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
5. Include the three functions – conservation, development, and logistic support – through appropriate zonation:
core: legally constituted
buffer zone or zones
outer transition area
www.beaverhills.ca 32
33 www.beaverhills.ca
6. Organizational arrangements are in place for the involvement and participation of a suitable range of public authorities, local communities, and private interests in the design and carrying out the functions of the Biosphere Reserve
Biosphere Reserve Criteria Biosphere Reserve Criteria
33
34 www.beaverhills.ca
Biosphere Reserve Criteria
7. Provision should be made for:
a) Mechanisms to manage human use and activities in the buffer zone or zones
b) Management policy or plan for the area as a biosphere reserve
c) Designated authority or mechanism to implement this policy or plan
d) Programs for research, monitoring, education and training
34
Biosphere Reserve Designation Clarifying Issues of Authority
A Biosphere Reserve will not own or manage land. It will not buy land nor will it have the authority to expropriate property. Lands in the “core area” are normally already owned by Federal or Provincial agencies
The rights of property owners to manage their lands are not affected by Biosphere Reserve designation. The Biosphere Reserve designation has no impact on Aboriginal Rights, jurisdictional authorities, existing or new regulations, or on the regulatory authorities that develop and enforce such regulations
www.beaverhills.ca 35
Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form: Table of Contents February 2004
Part I: Summary 1. Proposed name of the Biosphere Reserve
2. Country
3. Fulfillment of the three functions of BRs
4. Criteria for designation as a BR
5. Endorsements
Part II: Description
6. Location
7. Area
8. Biogeographical region
9. Land use history
10. Human population of proposed BR
11. Physical characteristics
12. Biological characteristics
13. Conservation function
14. Development function
15. Logistic support function
16. Use and activities
17. Institutional aspects
18. Special designations
19. Supporting documents
20. Addresses
January 2013
Part I: Summary 1. Proposed name of the Biosphere Reserve
2. Name of the Country
3. Fulfillment of the three functions of BRs
4. Criteria for designation of a BR
5. Endorsements
Part II: Description
6. Location
7. Area
8. Biogeographical region
9. Land Use
10. Human population of the proposed BR
11. Biophysical characteristics
12. Ecosystem services
13. Main objectives for the BR designation
14. Conservation function
15. Development function
16. Logistic support function
17. Governance, BR management and coordination
18. Special designation
19. Supporting documents
20. Addresses
Schematic Process for Completing a Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form
Governance and adaptive management
Core
Buffer
Transition
Strategy Impact Analysis Zones
Conservation
Development
Logistics/ Knowledge
Summary
Value statements
Land-use &
Socio-economic status,
Cultural diversity
& Bio-physical Ecosystem
Services
Factual
Description
Source: Adapted from Bell, Bolomey & Courtney (2013)
2012 Nomination
Overall positive feedback from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
“We encourage the continued regional efforts that embrace a vision of sustainable development.”
“Impressive accomplishments and strong potential to become an
outstanding Biosphere Reserve.”
Following to be addressed with resubmission:
1) First Nations engagement and Treaties honored
2) General public and citizen engagement
3) Clear explanation of why we want to become a UNESCO Biosphere
www.beaverhills.ca 38
2015 Resubmission
Change of emphasis in criteria
Demonstrate how we’ve addressed the initial submission comments:
1) Develop and implement an Aboriginal Strategy
2) Develop and implement a Communications and Public Involvement Strategy
3) Clearly explain and demonstrate the values and inspirational forces driving the local willingness to become a UNESCO Biosphere
Nomination document to be submitted to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO by May 31, 2015
www.beaverhills.ca 39
40 www.beaverhills.ca
Aboriginal Engagement Strategy
Establishing a dialogue with the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Establishing a dialogue with the Métis Nation of Alberta
Overall purpose of the dialogue: Acknowledge the cultural significance of the Beaver Hills
for Aboriginal Peoples in the nomination document Incorporating indigenous knowledge and understanding of
this landscape in the on-going work of the BHI Working cooperatively on activities of mutual interest, to
ensure that First Nations and Métis connections to this landscape are maintained and explained
40
Communications and Public Engagement Strategy
www.beaverhills.ca 41
Broad based media strategy
Use of the website and social media as BHI portals for public involvement
Deliberate outreach and public involvement
www.beaverhills.ca 42
More than 25 presentations to county, city and town councils, NGOs, volunteer organizations and conferences
More than 60 Letters of support
More than 800 “hits” on the website
Support for the Beaver Hills Nomination
43 www.beaverhills.ca
Case Studies of Collaborative Benefits resulting from the BHI and Future Benefits of Becoming a Biosphere Reserve
Mesocarnivore Project Biodiversity Trail
Golden Ranches International Snow Day:
Bioblitz
Revised LMF: 2015 State of the Beaver Hills
Reporting
Environmental Reserve Mapping Project
“MindFuel” Project
Miquelon Lake Research Station
43
Biosphere Benefits
Biosphere Benefits
Fosters the region’s environmental,
economic, and social sustainability.
Expands the capacity of residents and
local communities to direct their future.
Provides a “brand name” to improve and
diversify the local economy.
Gains access to information and support
through national and international
networks.
Attracts research activity that addresses
local & global issues.
Increases national and international
recognition.
www.beaverhills.ca 44
www.beaverhills.ca
• What if we’re successful?
• International recognition of the commitment and success of the BHI in applying innovative approaches to sustainable development and addressing environmental global issues.
• Contribute to and benefit from being a member of a globally recognized network of Biosphere Reserves.
BHI Biosphere
45
Local Global
www.beaverhills.ca
• How can you help?
• www.beaverhills.ca
• Letter of Support
• Endorsement
• Join a Working Group!
• Be a Board Member!
• Be an Ambassador
and inspire others
BHI Biosphere
46
Community Engagement and Public Awareness
• Partnership is essential
• Takes time, effort, patience and trust
• Need to develop mutual understanding
• Needs commitment
• Needs continued support by partners
• External goals valuable
• Charter rather than strategy
• Community engagement is vital but is only part of the issue
• Need to obtain and maintain public-sector buy-in and support.
• No single tool kit of community engagement – try everything.
• Communities will become engaged and committed if they believe in it.
Source: Nigel Wallace (2013) – Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve, Scotland
By far the most important characteristic is the presence of a group of motivated and capable people, broadly representative of the interests of local society, who believe in the idea. This may be an influential individual, the local council, or a strong and effective partnership of interests.
This suggests that Biosphere Reserves should not be selected and “designated” according to detailed criteria and a top down process. This is bottom-up self selection rather than top down designation,
and has the capacity to positively influence a far greater range of people.
Strong support from local government and local politicians, together with representatives of resource users and a cross-section of the local business and civic community, will be critical to the success of any Biosphere Reserve.
Biosphere Reserves around the world are special places designed to be sites of excellence in sustainable development. Such an accolade adds to the identity of a place that can be turned into a variety of social, economic and environmental benefits for the area and its people.
However, the nomination procedure is a large investment to make, and
therefore before embarking on such a project it is important to know why you wish to do this.
Once a reserve is designated, there are duties and responsibilities, and
the on-going management of the reserve requires the commitment and investment of human and financial resources.
This investment has be considered as being worthwhile to be successful.
Are you Really Committed to Supporting a Biosphere Reserve ?