OTTAWA, Ontario, November 4, 2004 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today expressed his satisfaction with UNESCO's designation of Georgian Bay Littoral as Canada's 13th Biosphere Reserve. "I would like to congratulate the population of the Georgian Bay Littoral region and the various organizations that worked steadfastly over a number of years to achieve this framework for sustainable development," said Minister Dion. "You can be very proud of this exceptional accomplishment and the UNESCO designation that reflects so highly on this wonderful area, your province and Canada as a whole." The Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve designation was announced today at the biannual meeting of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Committee in Paris. Biosphere Reserves are areas containing terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that promote reconciliation between the preservation of biodiversity and sustainable use. They support conservation and sustainable use, as well as undertaking research, monitoring, education and training programs. Each biosphere reserve has one or more protected areas at its core and contains a large inhabited area where people live and work. The Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve is now part of a world network of 459 biosphere reserves that share ideas and information across 97 countries. The new Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve encompasses 3,470 km2 and incorporates Georgian Bay Islands National Park, three provincial parks and two provincial nature reserves. Biosphere reserves were initiated in 1970, as the cornerstone of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere program, to help reconcile and integrate the conflicting interests and pressures that characterize land-use planning today. A key goal of the program is to establish terrestrial and coastal areas representing the main ecosystems of the planet in which genetic resources are protected, and where research on ecosystems as well as monitoring and training work can be carried out. There are now 13 designed biosphere reserves in seven provinces across Canada: Mount Saint Hilaire, Lac Saint-Pierre and Charlevoix in Quebec; Waterton and Long Point in Alberta; Riding Mountain in Manitoba; Niagara Escarpment, Thousands Islands - Frontenac Arch and Georgian Bay Littoral in Ontario; Redberry Lake in Saskatchewan; Clayoquot Sound and Mount Arrowsmith in B.C.; and South West Nova in Nova Scotia. The variety of ecosystems, working landscapes and socio-environmental issues occurring in Canada's biosphere reserves makes them ideal study areas for research on ecological integrity and sustainable development. - 30 - Information: Emma Orawiec Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Environment (819) 997-1441
