News from the Biosphere Regions

Welcome to US Biosphere Network News, a periodical newsletter sharing notable national and international activities by biosphere regions and partner organizations. Cooperative efforts in biosphere regions work to maintain healthy lands, air, and water and sustain our quality of life.

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Thanks to your continued engagement and support over the past year, the USBN has made significant strides in advancing our mission of fostering national and international connections among biosphere regions, facilitating their sharing of best practices, and supporting their work to connect people and nature. To advance the USBN’s vision, we are asking you to pledge your support by making a contribution to help fuel the USBN’s next phase of growth. Pledge your support today and please be sure to select "US Biosphere Network (USBN)" in the dropdown menu.

USBN Attends Canadian Biosphere Regions Annual Meeting

The US and Canada expressed solidarity for their biosphere program partnerships when USBN Federal Liaison Cliff McCreedy (National Park Service) attended the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association National Gathering in Alberta, September 19-22. Hosted by the Waterton Biosphere Region (BR), the meeting featured talks by the 19 Canadian BRs, site visits to learn about the Carnivores and Communities Program, and a talk at Naapi’s Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank, an Indigenous food sovereignty and native plant preservation project. McCreedy presented about the USBN and made contacts for continued cooperation with CBRA, BR sites, and the Canada Man and the Biosphere Program.

Obtawaing Biosphere Region Hosts Successful Annual Meeting

The Obtawaing Biosphere Region (OBR) convened 50 people representing 32 organizations and Tribal Nations on October 23. The meeting focused on bringing people and resources together in the OBR to achieve common goals, developing shared understanding and priorities, making participants aware of complementary efforts in the OBR and opportunities for support and collaboration, and aligning human activities with natural systems. Lightning talk presentations highlighting services, opportunities, funding, and resources to support OBR goals can be accessed here. 

Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network Reports on Grant Results in Venice

Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo and Dr. Daniel Cronan attended the UNESCO Venice Office's Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO's programmes and sites event in Venice, Italy on September 12. In 2023, CABN and SUNY ESF received funding through the abrdn Charitable Foundation and UNESCO to develop a transboundary atlas of climate and environmental change. Kelly and Daniel presented project results and shared the atlas as a model tool for climate-informed decision making. As part of the project’s evaluation mission, Jing Fang (UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe) visited the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Region October 30-November 1.

USBN Workshop Series Kickoff: Designing Our Next Decade

On September 26th, the USBN kicked off the three-part “Designing Our Next Decade” workshop series with Making Real Progress in Biosphere Regions. The inaugural workshop focused on envisioning progress via collaboration on biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and logistical support. Case study examples on activating a biosphere region, strategic planning, and partnership projects on climate resilience, tribal engagement, and tourism were provided by representatives of the Mojave Colorado Deserts, Channel Islands, Obtawaing, and Cascade Head and other biosphere regions.

World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves Convenes in Andorra

The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves held its second meeting September 24-27 in the Ordino Biosphere Reserve, Andorra. The US was represented by CABN Co-Chair and USBN Coordinator, Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo. The meeting brought together 37 participants from 22 countries to discuss global mountain issues, roadmap strategic priorities, and identify collaborations for ongoing and future projects.

USBN Youth in Action

Youth Board Chair Jenelle Booker and USBN Coordinator Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo delivered a joint keynote at The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Summit in November, where they explored the vital role of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in advancing global sustainability efforts. Their presentation, “Think Globally, Act Locally with UNESCO Biosphere Regions,” emphasized how local communities in Biosphere Reserves are actively contributing to environmental preservation, sustainable development, and building climate resilience. Through engaging examples and interactive discussions, they encouraged youth to connect their local climate actions to global solutions for a more sustainable future.

SEAS Team Update

The USBN-SEAS Team presented a special edition “Biosphere Buffet” to share progress on their work to amplify the USBN's capacity through enhanced collaboration, provision of resources for successful periodic reviews, and effective showcasing of US biosphere regions' conservation practices.

The US Biosphere Network (USBN) is made up of 28 internationally recognized places across the continental United States, the US Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawai’i called biosphere regions.