#biospherereserves

Biosphere Reserves (BR) are designated protected areas established by UNESCO’s Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). They do not focus on restrictions, but their main objective is „to foster and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature”. Their mission is based on the recognition that biodiversity conservation is only possible with the cooperation of local communities. The award of BR status is decided by UNESCO, but the title does not come with financial support.

The project directly involves 3 BR management organisations out of 5 BRs in the HU-SK border region: Pilis BR is represented by the Municipality of Pilisborosjenő (LP), the Duna-Ipoly NP Directorate and Pilis State Forest Company, Fertő-lake BR by the Fertő-Hanság NP Directorate, while Poľana BR by the NGO Náš región Podpoľanie and the Municipality of Vígľaš. Additional BRs (Aggtelek BR, Slovak Karst BR) are associated partners; and the proposal is also supported by the national commissions of UNESCO MAB. BURST Nonprofit Ltd. works as a knowledge facilitator in the project.

The goal of the 30-month project (with a total budget of €1m) is sustainable development of BRs along the border: it aims at enhancing their role and importance in biodiversity conservation by involving local communities and exploiting the potential of NbS.

To achieve this, partners implement 12 pilots as follows:
-Restoration of natural habitats: restoration of the Kistómalmi moorland (Fertő-lake BR), the wetlands of Hrončiačka and Pstruša (Poľana BR); integrated forest management (Pilis BR)
-Protection of endangered species: protection of reptiles and amphibians (frogs and fire salamander), Thlaspi montanum and wildcat (Pilis BR)
-Control of invasive species: suppression of Fallopia sp. and Ailanthus altissima, eradication plan of the invasive species in Visegrad Bay (Pilis BR)
-Environmental education: „Mobile BR” (Poľana BR), BR Gateway educational centres (Poľana és Pilis BRs)

Based on the cross-border cooperation, the BRs will renew their strategies, organisational management plans taking into consideration community-driven actions and NbS. To transfer knowledge a methodological guide for Central European BRs will be drafted, professional events will be organised; participation in the next EUROMAB conference will give international visibility to the project.

Programmes developed to/with the public will improve BRs’ visibility, enhance environmental awareness and encourage volunteering.