The biosphere reserve concept can be used as a framework to guide and reinforce projects to enhance people's livelihoods and ensure environmental sustainability. UNESCO recognition can serve to highlight and reward such individual efforts. Designation of a site as a biosphere reserve can raise awareness among local people, citizens and government authorities on environmental and development issues. It can help attract additional funding from different sources. At the national level, biosphere reserves can serve as pilot sites or "learning places" to explore and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development, providing lessons which can be applied elsewhere

To achieve UNESCO recognition for our shire as a biosphere reserve is a substantial undertaking that may take some time to accomplish. As such the Biosphere Reserve project can be seen as a broad reaching long-term framework, one which will help to guide the general efforts of environmental, social and economic growth within the Bellingen Shire. Through this approach each project we under take will have its own important aims and benefits, but will also play a part in progressing us along a well structured path to a healthier community.

For more information click here to visit the UNESCO website.