A review of the Noosa Biosphere Management has been initiated by the Noosa Shire Council. After submissions were made a number of presenters were invited to present to the Councillor Working Party and interested public. This is the presentation made on behalf of Noosa Biosphere Ltd on Tuesday 4 March, 2013.

1. Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Our vision
Dr Susan Davis
Noosa Biosphere Limited

2. The work biosphere comes from ‘Bios’ from the greek ‘for life’ and ‘Sphere’ which
means a globe or ball. The biosphere includes all the parts of the land, sea, and
atmosphere in which organisms are able to live
WHAT IS IT?
Biosphere vs
Biosphere
Reserve
All the Earth's ecosystems are considered as part of one unit.
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their
relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the land and rocks (the
lithosphere), water (the hydrosphere) and the air (the atmosphere).

3. Noosa biosphere reserve – what is it?
• Special UNESCO recognition – Some think of it as World Heritage
Status without the rules and regulations
• Biosphere reserves are places that have special environments
BUT ALSO aim to promote and demonstrate a balanced
relationship between humans and the environment
• Over 621 biospheres exist worldwide found in 117 countries
• Intended to be a testing grounds for actions / experimentation
through the concept of ‘learning laboratories’
Whole UNESCO program in one
Conflict is inherent in the concept – what’s
important is how you work through that

4. Biosphere Reserves
– zonation system
• Core zones – for
conservation,
monitoring,
research
• Buffer zones – for
activities
compatible with
sound ecological
practices
• Transition zones
– for activities
where
stakeholders work
together to
sustainably
manage resources 4

5. Biosphere Reserves – a dynamic system
Conservation –environment
& culture
Learning and
research
Sustainable
development
Community forum &
engagement

6. Vision
• Noosa Biosphere Reserve will be a community and place that
is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a centre
for learning and excellence in community engagement,
sustainable economic & cultural development and
environmental conservation.
Mission
• Noosa Biosphere Reserve promotes a balanced relationship
between human interaction and the environment through
partnerships and good governance, community engagement,
innovative projects, advocacy, research and learning.

7. People are proud of their Biosphere
By 2020
People know that environment and people can co-exist
People are involved in and talking about biosphere projects
People know the story and what UNESCO MaB status means
People are consciously making an effort to conserve and sustain
& to communicate knowledge (Biosphere principles)
Local schools have biosphere information in their curriculum and
are proud of it
Positive relationships with different levels of Government
UNESCO acknowledges our reputation & part we play in the
strong network of Biosphere Reserves
People understand their environment…
Knowledge about local environment, birds, animals,
the community available in multiple forms
Regular workshop and seminar series, biennial
conference
Wide range of studies, Masters and PhDs completed
around Biosphere topics
Graduates of Biosphere learning and programs are in
the community and around the world
Knowledge of Indigenous peoples & culture
embedded in learning programs
Noosa
Biosphere
collaborative
action for a
healthy
community and
place
People are actively engaged in Biosphere
activities
Extensive partnership and membership base of individuals,
businesses, organisations and community groups
Involved in Biosphere related programs,
Acting for sustainability
High levels of accreditation in programs such as Ecobiz, Living
Smart, The Glossies Network
Social diversity visible in the community and Noosa Biosphere
activities
Tourism operators say ‘Welcome to the Biosphere’, and know what
it means
The Noosa Biosphere
brand is known
Well designed signage and
interpretive maps in important
destinations & places
Bins are branded
Biosphere Art Prize and exhibitions
promote local arts and culture
Online presence is pervasive
People know the Biosphere is
good for business
Quality/principled tourism & businesses,
You can buy quality locally produced
products/gifts featuring local designs
Businesses are proud of their accreditation
by Noosa Biosphere
Retailers have biosphere logo and they
enact what it means – staff know what it
mean
People are coming here because we are a
destination of choice for sustainable tourism
People live in the iconic landscapes
Quality, sustainable design in built environment
Planning Scheme (residential development, whole
built environment) reflects Biosphere principles
Iconic natural landscapes is protected and
maintained
Healthy Indigenous landscape
7

8. Can you make is simpler??
• A celebration of
community and
environment
• Custodianship &
connection

9. Biosphere Reserve - multiple entry points
Conservation –environment
& culture
Learning and
research
Sustainable
development
Community forum &
engagement

10. Where are we at? With whom?
✖

11. SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
CONSERVATION
Partnership Players in this
Realm NICA, NDLC, SCC
SEQ Catchment, Environment Levy
Support for sustainability events and programs
Profililing heritage and environment
At Balance-Unballance conference
Climate Adaptation project
and follow up
State of the
Biosphere Report – Phase I
Advocacy to government
Financial Reports
Recruitment for
Business
Economic
Board
Partner Program
Planning
Leadership
Corporate Relationships
Next Steps
Business Accreditation
Forums (Ec)
Management
Watching Brief (Ec)
Budget Development
Review Plan
Sector Board
Meetings – advisory role
Food Miles
Community Gardens
(depends on funding)
Partner
Program
River Ecology
Awareness (with
Tourism Sector)?
Involvement in
Reconciliation Action Plan
Centre of Excellence
In Sustainability
Centre
NICA Fabric
Design project
Noosa Community
Radio
International Relationships
Biosphere friends
group proposal
EDV Boundary
Extension Discussion
Biosphere
Art Prize
Pecha Kucha Night
& community engagement
Christie Fellows
Award for
Secondary
Schools
Benchmarking the Sociosphere
Info Sheets
Prod & Dist
Floating
Land
Newspaper
Articles
Social Media
Blogging,
Facebook
Possible NICA biosphere
School Connection
EDUCATION RESEARCH
ENGAGEMENT LEARNING
Social
Accountability
Clean Tech
Collaboration
Strengthen Partnership
With Noosa Gallery & libraries
Plastic Bag
Reduction (Env)
Support for UGA
& other visitors
Brand Development
Balance/Unbalance
Conference proposal Biosphere
Day
Sustainability
Award

12. Can we do more? With who and what?
Jeju Island Biosphere Reserve,
Korea
• World Heritage
• Biosphere Reserve
• Global GeoPark
$30m Centre, $20m /year
12

13. Strategic projects and activities:
• Expanded communications and knowledge sharing strategy and function;
• Coordinated community forums, workshop and networking program
promoted through a calendar of events;
• Coordination of research, ecology management and monitoring activities;
• Expanded partnerships program with different tiers that recognise and
promote certified businesses and organisations;
• Product recognition and branding;
• Establishment of a Biosphere Reserve Centre (for example the Biosphere
Institute of Sustainability: Noosa);
• Development of eco and knowledge based tourism; and
• Identified hero projects, eg. Responding to environmental threats and
climate change.

14. Mr Han Qunli, Director of the
UNESCO MAB program in Paris,
“From the initiation of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve we have been very
interested in following the progress made in Noosa BR. We have been
particularly interested in the rather unique model of governance in this
Biosphere Reserve that has incorporated strong commitment from local
government and community members. Of particular interest for us is the
ownership that the people of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve have to this...
That was one of the reasons we were prompted to invite Noosa Biosphere
Reserve to participate in our World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere
Reserve management meeting last year. We see great potential for the Noosa
Biosphere Reserve to play a key role in helping energise the MAB network in
Australia and potentially across the Asia-Pacific region.”

15. Key messages
• Build on Noosa’s history of custodianship
• Use the UNESCO Man and Biosphere principles to underpin
our vision
• It must be a partnership between govt, community, business –
There needs to be multiple entry points and levels of
involvement
• It needs to be a coordinated approach
• It needs to be resourced and have professional support and
standards
• We’re doing okay for five years in – let’s build on it!

16. Noosa Biosphere Reserve –
Working together as a
partnership of interests with
the community, local
government, industry,
education groups and tourism.