Sustaining the UNESCO Biosphere Region Designation

At the October 2021 Howe Sound Forum on Bowen Island, Mayor Karen Elliott, District of Squamish addressed the forum members with these key words:

“Collaboration. The Biosphere Region organization outlasts us all.  Local Governments will have better relationships with nature and its stewards.  A powerful body.  Brings capacity to local governments – all coming together and not reinventing the wheel.  Making seven generation decisions together.” 

The questions she posed for discussion for local governments: How can local governments be part of the solution to strengthen the organization and contribute to stable, ongoing funding?

For the Observers/Senior Government: What is our role in helping to strengthen the organization?

Key points from breakout groups reports: Click on each item belowe to see HSBRIS'* responses.

+ 1. More research on biosphere funding models and governance based on other biospheres would be a wise next step.

  • Modelling the current proposed governance structure of the Biosphere Region is based on a six-year long study of Canada’s 18 UNESCO Biosphere Regions by members of our working groups, committees and board. As members of the Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association since 2017, we have had the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of each model. Every region is unique and structured according to the local context. Since 2017 our working groups have reviewed and considered the various structures, arriving at the model proposed in our UNESCO nomination document. We are now moving forward with putting the AHSUBR** Roundtable into place. If interested, we are pleased to share our studies and conclusions.

+ 2. Clarifying the role of the BR and the value-added? – Define the role and function through a Memorandum of Understanding with each local government and how they are sharing resources.

  • Click here to view the Draft MOU we would enter into with each local government. We have a records of which local governments have hosted a forum and costs incurred since 2008. This informtion is available on request.

+ 3. Charitable status would provide more credibility.

  • We have engaged a charity's lawyer and are currently working through the purposes to ensure all future intended activities will be eligible once the charitable status has been granted. This is a long process anticipated to be complete in 2023.

+ 4. Trusts were discussed for long-term support.

  • We agree, we have established directed funds accounts with Capilano University and the West Vancouver Foundation. Donations to these accounts we direct to qualified donees or projects that support our organization's objectives.

+ 5. Taxation – the idea of adding a nature tax or service area tax – a few cents added. This funding would support basic operations. Could create a service bylaw but that is onerous and a one-time contribution is better.

  • We have made suggestions in the appendix of the draft MOU and welcome feedback on the idea of fees or taxes. We are willing to support recommendations from the Forum members.

+ 6. Understanding the needs ensures equity from other levels of government and possibly industry – sharing the budget. Know the weight of the costs and how they are shared equitably.

  • We will pursue federal and provincial funding opportunities that arise and this information will be made transparent. Many grants required matching funds or in-kind services. With an MOU in place, we would keep each local government informed. We anticipate the AHSUBR Roundtable to be a valuable tool for all levels of government.

+ 7. Create a job description for staff who can be expert resources or technical support to the biosphere region and embed that into their roles. Also, call a focused meeting about the Biosphere twice a year – 3-hour session with the local government.

  • We welcome this suggestion and we have outlined the role for a staff member in the draft MOU. We currently have assigned points of contact within each of the authorities governing the region. The current duties are a good baseline to follow.

+ 8. Financing: embedded contributions through annual operating budgets to create sustainable funding on part of local and regional governments. And to look to significant federal contributions to give a strong start from the get-go. Using a population formula may not always be the best approach, wherein some electoral areas there are very few residents. Need transparency – clear what the public funds are used for and the governance model.

  • We agree that annual contributions are difficult to depend on and public money spent must be transparent. We have listed a number of options for funding contributions in the draft MOU.
  • HSBRIS - Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society ** AHSURBR - Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region
Ruth Simons