The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation has this week launched its Life in a Living Laboratory campaign to engage residents and visitors in what happens in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and how we should act within it.
Biosphere reserves are living, learning places, where science and innovation is applied in a real world setting to explore local solutions to global challenges.
NBRF Program Manager, Garry Hamilton says while Noosa was designated as the Noosa Biosphere Reserve in 2007, the status is generally not well understood.
“Significantly, our region now includes three adjoining biosphere reserves side-by-side —with Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserve to our south and Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve to our north.
“It’s important that we as residents, businesses, and those who visit here, consider our place and how we interact within a biosphere region,” said Mr Hamilton.
“Education is a strategic priority of the Foundation and a guiding principle of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
“We’re proud to be launching our first major education campaign to inspire locals to act as an owner of change when they are in our Shire,” he said.
Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe is a recent addition to the NBRF Board and features throughout the campaign. He says biosphere reserves are special because they demonstrate and promote a balanced relationship between human societies and their natural environment.
“When research happens in real environments, the solutions are able to better address challenges. Progress happens,” he said.
Over the next six months, we will showcase Noosa’s living lab: a place where research and real life converge in our biosphere reserve.
Across three campaign phases, we will share informative content, living proof stories from within our community and practical tips on personal responsibility, to raise awareness of how communities can thrive while living alongside active conservation efforts.
Visit www.noosabiosphere.org.au/living-laboratory to learn more, follow us on social media @noosabiosphere and share our message to help us in our mission to create positive change. #noosalivinglab
Contact Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation
07 5474 0932
secretariat@noosabiosphere.org.au
https://noosabiosphere.org.au/living-laboratory/