Name: Great Sandy Biosphere
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Biosphere Success
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The Great Sandy region has been declared as a Biosphere reserve.
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At its meeting in Korea, UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere program resolved on 26th May to accept the nomination.
The decision means that residents of Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and nearby areas including Fraser Island now live in the “Great Sandy Biosphere” reserve.
The 370 page nomination was submitted to UNESCO in September last year by the Burnett Mary Regional Group after approval from all levels of government.
Chairman of the Group, Russell Stewart, said he was delighted with the success of the nomination.
“It’s a real coup for our region and for Australia,” he said.
“It gives worldwide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity that we sometimes take for granted.”
The International Co-ordinating Council considered 35 nominations from throughout the world, but the Great Sandy Biosphere was the only one from Australia in this round.
Mr Stewart said that although the nomination process was a big job, the real challenge will be to implement the program.
“We now have to keep our promises and make sure the Great Sandy Biosphere becomes a model for sustainability.”
Mr Stewart said the Group would move quickly to commence the implementation of the Biosphere program.
Great Sandy Biosphere
The Great Sandy Strait and adjoining hinterland has outstanding biodiversity values. The region is one of the most diverse in Australia, spanning a sub-tropical to temperate 'transition' zone, and contains representative species from both climates, including some that are unique to the region. Obtaining UNESCO (United Nations Environmental Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Biosphere status gives recognition of these values at the international level, and also creates an opportunity for international biodiversity investment. The Great Sandy Biosphere was officially accepted by UNESCO on 26th May 2009 at the meeting of their International Co-ordinating Council in Korea.Biosphere reserves are sites recognised under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program that innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. They serve as 'living laboratories' for testing and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. The program was launched in 1971.
They are endorsed by national governments based on a submission by the community, and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located, yet share their experience and ideas nationally, regionally and internationally within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. There are 529 sites worldwide in 105 countries.
Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three complementary functions:
• a conservation function, to preserve genetic resources, species, ecosystems and
landscapes;
•a development function, to foster sustainable economic and human development;
and
•a logistic support function, to support demonstration projects, environmental education and training, and research and monitoring
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