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The International Biosphere Trust (IBT) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2003 as the U.S. Biosphere Reserves Association. The charter and name of the organization was changed in March 2011 with the aim of supporting the development of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere reserves are special places, representing the world's natural regions, which are dedicated to exploring and demonstrating approaches to sustain natural and cultural resources. The first UNESCO expert panel described biosphere reserves as a means to "keep options open for the future, and prevent, to the best of our abilities, the depletion of the genetic diversity of life." There are, as of April 2011, 564 biosphere reserves in one hundred nine countries. This provides a wide array of ecosystem types, management regimes, socio-economic settings, and human resources that can serve as learning places to address the interacting global problems of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security.
The Biosphere Trust
The goals of the Trust are to:
• Support the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program in developing the World Network of Biosphere Reserves..
• Facilitate participation of local communities in biosphere reserve activities that benefit the environment and local people, including improved farm systems, diversified food production and marketing, and equitable benefit sharing.
• "Map" the natural and cultural resources of biosphere reserves, including their food systems and traditions, their innovative programs, and increase knowledge and support for social capital investment in biosphere reserves.
• Foster understanding and appreciation of biosphere reserves by conveying factual information about the reserves and their programs, and by facilitating exchange.
• Deepen and broaden the knowledge base for using biosphere reserves for conservation of wild relatives of cultivated and domesticated species and landraces, and for rehabilitation and re-introduction of "lost crops." (neglected, underutilized and endangered species)
• Foster research, resource management, monitoring, environmental education, and training in biosphere reserves.
Biosphere Trust Information
The Trust is a non-profit organization supported largely by volunteers. Information about how to participate may be obtained from:
Tom Gilbert (
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Tom Hatley (
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Johanna MacTaggart (
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Suggested membership categories:
Annual membership* Cost in $U.S.
• Student/senior $20.00
• Individual $40.00
• Family $50.00
• Business sponsor $300.00
• Patron $500.00
• Lifetime $1,000.00
• Corporate $3000.00
* contribution is fully tax deductible in the U.S.
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