What are Biosphere reserves (BRs)?
Biosphere reserves serve as ‘living laboratories’ for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. Recognised internationally under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, these reserves form a global network to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. They are places where conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand. BRs are nominated by national governments, through a national MAB Committee (in the UK this work is coordinated by the UK MAB Committee). UK BR sites were originally designated in 1976/7 and were based on National Nature Reserves. • To learn more about the UK MAB programme, visit www.ukmab.net • To learn more about UNESCO, please visit www.unesco.org.uk In 1995, the criteria for accreditation were changed to include a zoning system and currently only two Biosphere Reserve, Braunton Burrows in North Devon and
