Vision Statement

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is proposed in southwestern Nova Scotia in recognition of the unique cultural heritage and significant natural environment, strengthened by regional initiatives that seek to balance protection of the environment with a sustainable regional economy.

The designation is based upon:

• acknowledgement and respect of the rights, interests and stewardship responsibilities of local communities;
• the need for prosperous diversified local economies, including strengthened fisheries and forestry sectors, sustainable tourism, and new opportunities for community economic development;
• the recognition of traditional and modern resource use techniques that support the people of southwestern Nova Scotia;
• the importance of a healthy natural environment to support regional biodiversity, and the high quality of life enjoyed by citizens;
• the important contributions of protected areas to biodiversity preservation, and local economic prosperity;
• the acknowledged value of a cooperative, community-led approach to develop local solutions to resource issues.

Mission Statement

In recognition of our unique cultural heritage and significant natural region, and of the shared responsibility to conserve this environment, the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve Association will establish a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southwestern Nova Scotia with the voluntary support of community, business and government partners. The South West Nova Biosphere Reserve will seek to balance the conservation of natural and cultural heritage with sustainable resource development, to support prosperous local economies and healthy communities.

Goals

Conservation
• Support voluntary conservation measures to protect landscapes, habitats, species and genetic diversity in the core, buffer and transition zones.
• Encourage conservation of species of commercial and traditional importance.
• Promote increased recognition and understanding of the natural environment of the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Sustainable Development
• Protect and enhance the high quality of life enjoyed by citizens of the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve.
• Promote increased recognition and understanding of the cultural heritage of the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve.
• Develop and promote demonstration sites to illustrate traditional sustainable practices of the regional economy.
• Encourage development of innovative resource use and conservation techniques to explore new approaches to local resource issues.
• Encourage development of appropriate nature-based recreation that is ecologically sustainable (eco-tourism).

Capacity building (logistic support)
• Gain the support and voluntary cooperation of the businesses, industries and communities of the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve to support conservation and development activities.
• Support citizen participation to inform conservation and development planning and implementation in the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve.
• Develop and promote successful local examples of cultural, educational, ecological research and development in the region.
• Develop opportunities for participation of students, teachers and community leaders in Biosphere Reserve activities to improve local awareness of cultural heritage and natural environment.
• Support scientific research and monitoring of ecological systems and socio-economic patterns of the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve, to obtain further understanding of environmental conditions to support resource management.
• Facilitate cooperation among federal and provincial agencies with respect to conservation and development objectives.Establish a community-led mechanism for the resolution of local issues and concerns.