Ceremony marks Beaver Hills Biosphere official UNESCO Designation Preserves environment

After 15 years of planning, cooperation and work by more than 30 volunteer partner organizations, the Beaver Hills Biosphere was officially designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere over the weekend.

On Sept. 8 Beaver Hills official award ceremony was held and on Sept. 9 a celebration was held in conjunction with the second annual Beaver Hills Biosphere Day at Astotin Lake.

“Becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is about people and communities collaborating to guide and accommodate change while safeguarding our natural environment and cultural heritage for years to come,” said Professor Guy Swinnerton who was instrumental in creating the BHI, and has worked tirelessly on the Biosphere Reserve designation since 2000.

For more see the Sept. 12/17 Mercury