The Path to UNESCO Biosphere Designation: Step One Complete!

On December 2, 2019, Project Lead Ruth Simons and Squamish Nation Council member Joyce Williams travelled to Ottawa with the 328 page document that celebrates Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound and presents our compelling case for official designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

We strongly believe that a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation will formalize our biodiversity conservation commitments, strengthen First Nations – settler relations, and build capacity for community building, decision- making, education and research.

This application for Biosphere Reserve designation is a true testimonial to our community desire to achieve this status and commitment to a legacy for generations to come - it carries the collective support of local communities, First Nations, regional governments, provincial and federal governments, and non-government organizations.

With all of this in mind, we proudly presented the beautifully bound copy to Canadian Commission for UNESCO in Ottawa on behalf of our working group members, volunteers, and all of those working for conservation, reconciliation, and sustainable development in Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound. Patrick Weiler, the newly elected Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky, accompanied us in delivering our document to the Secretary-General Sebastien Goupil and Program Officer Eleanor Haines-Bennett.

Between January and April, the completed document will be reviewed by two expert reviewers contracted by the Canadian Commission to ensure it meets the statutory requirements of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere program for new biospheres. The expert reviewers will then make recommendations, which may include asking us to do further work to improve the content of our application or suggest more discussion with stakeholders in the region.

Our goal is to make all changes/improvements to the nomination document and send it to UNESCO in Paris before the end of September 2020. From there, the International Coordinating Council reviews all Biosphere Reserve applications.

Announcements of the successful Biosphere Reserves will be made in Paris June 2021.

As we evolve into a strategic communications and engagement hub for Átl’Ka7tsem / Howe Sound, our next steps for our organization are to work on communications, provide logistics support, and respond to feedback while continuing our work in the Biosphere Region.

We hope to contribute to the many other Biosphere Reserve communities around the world that seek a sustaining harmony and integrity that strike a balance between Nature and its peoples.

If you would like to view an electronic copy of the nomination document contact us. For background on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve nomination read more here.