Strategic Plan for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program

United States Man and the Biosphere Program

The Man and the Biosphere Program (MAE) of the United Nations Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is based on the concept that it is possible to achieve a sustainable balance between the conservation of biological diversity, economic development, and maintenance of associated cultural values. Biosphere reserves are areas composed of different land and water uses where the validity of this concept is tested, refined,demonstrated, and implemented. UNESCO provides a conceptual scheme to describe thespatial distribution of the functions of a biosphere reserve. Ideally, each biosphere reserve includes three types of areas: one or more securely "Protected Areas," such as wilderness areas or nature reserves, for conservation and monitoring of minimally disturbed ecosystems; "Managed Use Areas," usually surrounding or adjoining the protected areas, where experimental research, educational activities, public recreation, and various economic activities occur according to ecological principles; and "Zones of Cooperation," which are open-ended areas of cooperation, where managing agencies, local governmental agencies, scientists, economic interests, nongovernmental organizations, cultural groups, local citizens and other biosphere reserve stakeholders educate one another in the process of linking conservation, economic development, and cultural values.