Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association

Home

Overview | History | SNBR fulfills the functions of a Biosphere Reserve | Geographical organization | Benefits of a Biosphere Reserve in Southwest Nova Scotia

The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR)

Overview

The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR), comprises a large portion of terrestrial and coastal southwestern Nova Scotia, a province situated on Canada's Atlantic and Bay of Fundy coast. (Please click on map to enlarge.)

It represents coastal and inland ecosystems and encourages sustainable Lake Scene practices for the core area and zone of cooperation (to varying degrees). The core protected areas includes extensive wildlands and a Canadian Heritage River (the Shelburne River), which exist in a-near-pristine condition with natural ecosystem structure, processes and functions intact.

The Biosphere, which comprises lands in the counties of Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Queens, is home to many nationally endangered plants and animals including Atlantic Coastal Plain flora, Southern flying squirrel, and Blanding's turtle.

The biosphere reserve will help preserve the integrity of cultural resources and heritage in the region. There is a vital history of Mi'kmaq First Nations use of the lands and waters of the area for travel, sustenance, medicine, trade and survival. Several significant archaeological sites are preserved throughout the biosphere reserve. These ancient sites include encampments, travel routes, village sites, fishing grounds and petroglyphs. In 2000 Kejimkujik National Park was commemorated as a National Historic Site celebrating its Mi'kmaq cultural landscape.

Brief History of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve

The idea for a biosphere reserve for Southwest Nova Scotia began in the Beach Scene 1980s, but at the time the discussion was limited mainly to scientific circles. In the late 1990s, several things happened to broaden interest in the idea. Forest companies in the area began to have more contact and discussions with communities and agencies on topics such as research and sustainable development and a Master’s thesis on the feasibility of establishing a biosphere reserve in the region bolstered community interest.

In 1999, a committee from Queens and Annapolis Counties formed to develop a proposal for the establishment of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve incorporating Kejimkujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area as the core protected area. This committee later became incorporated as the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association (SNBRA).

In September 2001, the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve received official recognition under the Man and the Biosphere Program, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This designation recognizes the importance of two large, contiguous protected areas in Southwest Nova Scotia, Kejimkujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, and of the potential in the broader region for multi-sector cooperation and sustainable development.

There are no land-use or management changes associated with the designation of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve; the designation simply acknowledges beneficial land use already occurring in the region. Lands serving a ‘buffer’ function for the core areas of the Biosphere Reserve are managed either by provincial (Department of Natural Resources) or private jurisdiction (e.g. N.S. Power and Bowater Mersey Paper Company), according to a voluntary commitment to support the goals of sustainable development and conservation.

The official dedication ceremony on July 17th, 2004 is the culmination of three years of active collaboration between the citizens, the local government, industry, NGO's and academia to realize the concept. The challenge ahead, in keeping with the biosphere reserve concept, is to increase public awareness through education, further scientific research in support of sustainable development and to create an inclusive climate for all cultural groups in the region.

There are more than 400 Biosphere Reserves internationally, with 13 in Canada. The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve is the twelfth recognized reserve in Canada. It was followed only by the Thousand islands and Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve in 2002. SNBR is the first Biosphere Reserve in Atlantic Canada and is currently the largest in Canada as it covers 13,867 square kilometres and has a population of 96,118 according to Statistics Canada.

The SNBR Fulfills the 3 Functions of a Biosphere Reserve

Biosphere Reserves fulfill a conservation, a development, and a logistic function. The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve is no exception, as it also fulfills the three functions.

Conservation

Support voluntary conservation measures to protect landscapes, habitats, species and genetic diversity in the core, buffer and cooperation zones.
Encourage conservation of species of commercial and traditional importance.
Promote increased recognition and understanding of the natural environment of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.
Preserve the ecological integrity of the protected Wilderness of Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site of Canada and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area through appropriate management and community stewardship.

Sustainable Development

Protect and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by citizens of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.
Promote increased recognition and understanding of the cultural heritage of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.
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 Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve to support conservation and development activities.
Facilitate citizen participation to inform conservation and development planning and implementation in the Southwest 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 Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, to obtain further understanding of environmental conditions to support sustainable resource management.
Facilitate cooperation among federal and provincial agencies and private landowners with respect to conservation and development objectives.
Facilitate the resolution of local issues and concerns, and identify opportunities for cooperation by bringing different sectors and perspectives to the table.

The Geographical Organization of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve

As was previously mentionned, biosphere reserves traditionally have a core area, buffer zone, and area of cooperation. However the zonation can be applied in many different ways in the real world to accommodate geographical conditions, socio-cultural settings, available legal protection measures and local constraints.

This is the case with the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve because rather than having all three zones, it has a core area and an area of cooperation.

The core area includes Kejinkujik National Park and National Historic Site under the management of Parks Canada and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area under the management of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour.

The Benefits of a Biosphere Reserve in Southwest Nova Scotia

The designation of Southwest Nova Scotia as a Biosphere Reserve will continue to stimulate multi-sector cooperation and communication, international and national recognition, local pride, and regional identification as an exceptional place. The designation has also attracted attention from researchers, conservationists, investors, tourists, and government agencies. It will help the region to obtain support for innovative programs and training, and to develop and promote sustainable industry.

Yellow Perch The Biosphere Reserve concept will benefit communities in Southwestern Nova Scotia. It offers the opportunity for ongoing dialogue and co-operation with community members, landowners, government agencies, educational institutions and industry, to advance education, cultural and environmental sustainability. This collaboration will allow for the development of partnership projects to advance natural and cultural resource research, sustainable management, education, information technology, and ecotourism, which can be showcased at a national and international level.