This week, the Capital Regional District approved a plan that would work to nominate Greater Victoria as a UNESCO-designated biosphere region.<\/p>\n
Approved at Wednesday\u2019s CRD board meeting, it means the CRD has added the UNESCO designation nomination process to its strategic plan for 2027-2031.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made the list,\u201d says Brad Procter, referring to the list of approved strategic plan items for the next four years. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s the chair of the Greater Victoria NatureHood, a conservancy group that approached the CRD with the nomination idea back in 2024.<\/p>\n
Procter says he\u2019s \u201cexcited, recognizing it will still take some time. These processes are long, but excited about the steps that have occurred so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Submitting the actual nomination application is still a few years out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, they [the CRD] recommended moving forward, but haven\u2019t committed funds or staff to it,\u201d says Procter.<\/p>\n
Next, in 2026, CRD staff will look at allocating funds, resources and staff to research and build out the the designation process.<\/p>\n
Procter says the conservancy group will support CRD with these next steps in the coming year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we start in earnest with a formal application in 2028, maybe 2030 might be a good goal,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
He says it\u2019s worth the time investment \u2013 not just for nature conservancy groups but for tourism in Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spend a lot time in the environmental space, but what\u2019s different about this is it\u2019s an opportunity to work hand in hand with the business community, tourism, different levels of government \u2013 all working towards a combination of environmental conversation and support for the tourist community in Victoria. It\u2019s a unique opportunity for everyone,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Vancouver Island has 2 UNESCO Biospheres<\/p>\n
If the nomination is successful, the Greater Victoria Area would become the third UNESCO Biosphere Region on the Island.<\/p>\n
Currently there are two UNESCO Biosphere Regions on Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust and Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region.<\/p>\n
The World Network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves includes 727 sites in 131 countries. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you read a write up on a place you might travel to\u2026often it\u2019s how a place is described, he adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt identifies a place of particular special value, in that regard we think Victoria is a very special urban biosphere with so much nature in the city. It\u2019s usually the number one region we all live here, to be so close to the natural environment and we we celebrate that,\u201d says Procter.<\/p>\n
Additional information including the boundaries of the Greater Victoria UNESCO Biosphere reserve program have yet to be determined.<\/p>\n