About Us

Nominated by the community as a UNESCO Biosphere in 2002, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network has supported our communities for the past 20 years by supporting and sharing knowledge, funding and programs that provide practical solutions for sustainable living and well being for all living creatures, for this and future generations.

What is a Biosphere Region?

A biosphere Region is an international UNESCO designation, through the Man and the Biosphere Programme, that recognizes the efforts and involvement of communities to live and work in harmony with nature for positive economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Biosphere Regions integrate three main “functions”:

Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity
Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable
Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training

These three functions are pursued through the Biosphere Reserves’ three main zones

Credit: UNESCO/MAB Secretariat.

About the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is a region of global ecological significance acknowledging the contributions of the communities who’ve made this place what it is today. It spans 2700 square kilometres from from Gananoque to Brockville, and Sydenham to Westport and Rideau Lakes. It is not a protected area, as its name may suggest, but the result of extensive and continued efforts by leaders in our region.

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Learn more about the Frontenac Arch Biosphere in this TVO documentary series Striking Balance.

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region is situated on the homelands of the Haudenosaunee and Algonquin Anishinaabeg. We are grateful and acknowledge the generations of Indingeous peoples who have taken care of this land, and who have ongoing and historic connection with this land. Today, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region is still home to many First Nations and Metis people, and we are grateful to have an opportunity to continue stewardship on this land.

About the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is administered by the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network – a not-for-profit organization consisting of a small team of dedicated staff and a broader network of organizations and local communities working together to promote the sustainable development of the region by sharing information, knowledge and best practices.

We promote solutions to live and work in harmony with nature with a commitment towards environmental sustainability.

Our Values

1. Celebrate Life
We celebrate people and nature

2. Empower People
We enable participation

3. Model Solutions
We explore new ways everyday

4. Belong Together
We are part of something bigger

Our Vision

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network contributes to strengthening sustainable community development, celebrating the interconnectedness of nature, livelihood, well-being and culture, for this and future generations.

Our Mission

To implement the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme to improve relationships between people and their environments.

Our Leadership

Julie Servant
Executive Director

Kelly McGann
Program Manager

Board Of Directors

Katrina Furlanetto
Director

John Dickie
Director

Drishti Trehan
Director

Gary Clarke
Director

Katherine Macklem
Treasurer

Helen Anne Hudson
Co-Chair

Steve McGovern
Co-Chair

Lindsey Dickie
CBRA Representative

Do you have a passion for nature conservancy and sustainable development? Inquire about Board positions with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. Email us at info@fabn.ca

Our Local Network

We collaborate with local federal and provincial parks, local Indigenous Nations and individuals, conservation authorities, land trusts, municipalities, community and environmental organizations to fulfill the mandates of the Man and the Biosphere programme.

Our Global Network

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is part of a broad global network of over 700 UNESCO sites in more than 130 countries. Within that global context, the Canadian Network of UNESCO Biosphere Regions, consists of 19 sites, situated within the traditional territories of over 50 Indigenous Nations.

Each UNESCO Biosphere Region contains inspiring, globally unique and biodiverse ecosystems, conserved by a locally-appropriate, inclusive approach to Sustainable Development.

The knowledge acquired from each endeavour across the network is shared among other UNESCO Biosphere Regions in Canada, and also among sites across the world network.

Altogether, Canadian Biospheres span over 235,000 km2 and conserve both the long-term health of the environment as well as the quality of life for 2.3 million Canadians.

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Authorizes the World Biosphere designations.

Supports and enhances the work of Canada’s Biospheres.

Supports all UNESCO sites in Canada, including Biosphere Regions, World Heritage Sites, and Geoparks.

Actions the mandate in our community.

About Us

What is a Biosphere Region?