We are a non-profit registered Canadian charity promoting research, monitoring, community outreach and education, partnerships, and projects that support the goals of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable communities in Norfolk County.
Mission: We collaborate to enhance ecosystem and community well-being, and unite people with nature.
Vision: All living things thrive here together.
Values:
- RESPECT: We value all living things, the land, air, water, and our interconnectedness.
- TOGETHERNESS: We value and share knowledge from diverse sources, including Indigenous, local, and scientific ways of knowing.
- RESILIENCE: We promote healthy ecological, social, and economic systems that are able to withstand, adapt to, and flourish in the face of challenges (this value is still a work-in-progress)
- RESPONSIBILITY: We promote stewardship of the natural world, recognizing our actions have an impact on the planet and on future generations. We are committed to responsibly using funds and resources to support actions that align with our values.
We exchange information and work collaboratively with the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, as well as other biosphere reserves in Canada and around the world. Our World Biosphere Reserve designation comes from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Man and Biosphere program, and does not bring with it any new authorities over lands, water or resources.
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.