Welcome to Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve
Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve (RMBR), one of 15 Biosphere Reserves in Canada, was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1986. It is a special area within which people are encouraged to demonstrate better approaches to conservation and sustainable resource use.
The core protected area, Riding Mountain National Park, covers some 3,000 square kilometers of mixedwood forest, eastern deciduous forest, and rough fescue prairie. RMBR also includes a Zone of Cooperation which consists of the 15 municipalities that surround the Park, comprising an additional 12,000 square kilometers. The RMBR is rich in lakes, streams and natural habitat. Development within the Biosphere Reserve has largely been for the growing of grain and forage crops, and for the production of livestock. Hunting, guiding, and eco-tourism also contribute to the local economy.
ENVIRONMENT CANADA ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION TO SUPPORT CANADIAN BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Gord Brown, MP for Leeds-Grenville
Environment Canada announced $5 million dollars of funding for Canadian Biosphere Reserves and the Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association (CBRA)! This will provide support for an additional three years of funding through to 2012-2013. We are elated and very grateful to Environment Canada to say the least! This is just what we have been hoping for.
Gord Brown, MP for Leeds-Grenville, made the announcement July 16, 2009 on behalf of Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, at a press conference held at the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR) office, organized by Environment Canada and CBRA, with host, FABR.
Gord Brown congratulated the great work of Biosphere Reserves over the years and for their support of CBRA with their new endeavours. Addresses were also made by Richard Murzin and Karina Mullaly, CBRA Chair and CBRA Executive Director, respectively; David Walden, Secretary General on behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO; Gary Clarke on behalf of FABR; and was moderated by Don Ross, FABR. There was attendance by Environment Canada representatives, regional mayors, and FABR Board members and friends.
Environment Canada is providing financial support of $5M over five years to 14 of the 15 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada ($3 M in addition to the 2$M already announced). The fifteenth biosphere reserve, Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, already has a federal source of core funding.
The Environment Canada Press Release is available on their website at:
[ Environment Canada ]
Farmers Profiles
Wes Hughe
Little Path Farm
A young entrepreneurial farmer who has recently woken up sleepy land in one of the most scenic locations in the area. He grows fresh organic veggies, free run chickens and turkeys all available to the public who are strongly encouraged to come meet him and check out what he has created. Camping [...]
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Education
Biosphere Reserve Teams Up With Park West School Division
Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve, in partnership with Parks Canada and Friends of Riding Mountain Park, have teamed up with elementary schools in the Park West School Division to bring kids back to nature in the form of a three-day trip.
On the first morning of the 2nd annual [...]
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UNESCO Associated Schools Program Onanole
ASPnet
Onanole Elementary School has received notification that their application to become a UNESCO ASPnet candidate school has been received and that they can now promote themselves as being such. Onanole Elementary continues to create programming in line with the four pillars of learning and within the themes of the UNESCO ASPnet. This year they [...]
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