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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In January 2024, the US Biosphere Network welcomed a dedicated team of seven master’s students from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) tasked with advancing environmental conservation, sustainable economic development, and logistical support across the network’s 28 biosphere regions. The SEAS team is working 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.
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Growth, energy and progress in the USBN and strong U.S. relationships with UNESCO were highlighted in discussions between Cliff McCreedy and UNESCO representatives in mid-April in New York. Following her visit to New York City, Meriem Bouamrane, Chief of Section on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Research and Policy: Ecology and Biodiversity traveled to the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Region to meet with Steering Committee members and key partners and learn more about current projects and environmental stewardship in Northern New York and Vermont.
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In March, the US Biosphere Network launched the “Biosphere Bites” biweekly seminar series. The 30-minute talks take place every other week on Zoom to give biosphere regions and partners an opportunity to share knowledge, ideas, and resources across our national and international networks. These informal, virtual presentations are designed to connect the USBN to local, regional, and international partners and highlight the important work that is being done in biosphere regions to improve the human connection to nature and make progress towards the sustainable development goals. Visit our Biosphere Bites webpage to access recordings, stay up to date on future “Biosphere Bites” talks, or sign up to present or propose a topic for an upcoming session.
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On March 4th through the 7th, the International Sonoran Desert Alliance along with representatives from the Tohono O’odham Nation, Mexico, and the United States convened a Tri-National Symposium to explore cultural and natural resource topics, Native American tribal perspectives in the Sonoran Desert, and Modern Human Interactions with the regional environment. The event focused heavily on content related to the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region and Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar.
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The Youth Board is a youth-led (18 to 35 years old) organization that works in cooperation with the USBN to provide project-based professional development opportunities for its members and further the goals of the USBN, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, and the UN Operational Strategy on Youth. Young people interested in active participation within UNESCO, sustainable development, bioregional planning, international collaboration, and management are invited to participate starting when the Youth Board meets next on July 16. You can read more here about how to attend the meeting, plus the interesting on-the-ground conservation projects a couple of our Youth Board members are involved in this summer.
| | | USBN has created a site to share and to keep track of current funding opportunities for US Biosphere Regions. Check out the USBN Funding Opportunities site. | |  | USBN is launching on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram) in Fall 2024, and we'd like to feature the incredible projects, events, and activities that you and your partners are working on in your Biosphere Region. Please fill out this short form so we can highlight and promote your work on social media. | | | |
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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. | | | |
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United States Biosphere Network (USBN) fosters national and international connections among biosphere regions, facilitates their sharing of best practices, and supports their work toward connecting people and nature. |
You can play an important role in this effort by making a donation to the Center and designating your gift to the US Biosphere Network. | | |
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The US Biosphere Network is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation.
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Photos, top to bottom: USBN Seas Team; Meriem Bouamrane and Cliff McCreedy - Cliff McCreedy; Sonoran Desert NM - BLM/Bob Wick; Colorado River - Alan Schmierer; | | | | |
