Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association
The Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association [CBRA] is a non-profit charitable organization created in 1998 to provide support and facilitate communication and collaboration among Canada’s 16 biosphere reserves. CBRA also engages in fundraising, provides a unified voice for national-scale endeavours, and promotes biosphere reserves as models of community-based sustainable development.
CBRA develops and directs national projects for the collective benefit of its member biosphere reserves, such as: 
- biodiversity monitoring
- ecotourism development
- mapping of landscape change
- climate change adaptation
- ecological restoration,
- development of cooperation plans
- social monitoring
The Canadian government, through Environment Canada, is currently supporting 14 biosphere reserves (excluding the Clayoquot BR, which has its own core funding) through a contribution agreement [2008-2013]. Funds will help build local capacity in Canadian biosphere reserves, and assist in the coordination of national programs and projects.
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves facilitates cooperative activities – including scientific research and monitoring, environmental education and specialist training – and the exchange of information that can benefit all reserves such as research results, or experience in resolving specific issues.
Banner image credit - Kim Pearson/NCC