P.O. Box 4045

GEELONG VIC 3220 

Tel 0352612082  Fax 0352224775

Coastal zones, associated communities of flora and fauna and geomorphology are among the most ecologically sensitive and valuable regions on the planet. A region of high conservation value exists on the western coastal zone of Port Phillip Bay. This region is renowned nationally and internationally for its avifauna, associated communities and geomorphology and has been proposed as a conservation region, the West Port Phillip Conservation Zone, by Geelong Environment Council Inc. Geelong Environment Council Inc. considers the natural and cultural heritage of the region, its land tenure and land usage are ideally suited for inclusion in the world-wide network of Biosphere Reserves. Geelong Environment Council Inc. believes there is a compelling case for nomination and acceptance of the proposed West Port Phillip Conservation Zone as a Coastal Biosphere Reserve. We recommend that this proposal be accepted and supported by local, state and federal governments and local landowners. 

The Biospheres Reserves concept was first initiated under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program in 1974 to meet the need to reconcile long-term protection of natural and semi-natural ecosystems with human uses, supported by interdisciplinary research. While initially directed at terrestrial ecosystems, the concept of coastal biosphere reserves has been extended to address the complex of ecological, socio-economic and legislative conditions generally associated with the land-sea interface, and to implement the formation of Coastal Biosphere Reserves to protect these ecologically important and sensitive areas (UNESCO 1989). 

Biosphere Reserves are protected areas of representative terrestrial and coastal environments that are recognized for their value in the conservation of nature and in providing the scientific knowledge, skills and human values to support sustainable development. Such Reserves are utilized to form a world-wide network that facilitates sharing of information relevant to the conservation and management of landscapes and seascapes. Each Biosphere Reserve includes representative examples of natural or minimally disturbed ecosystems (core areas) within one of the world's biogeographical provinces (Longmore 1993). Biosphere Reserves have been given an international designation by UNESCO because of their special flora and fauna, and their use by humans (Davis and Drake 1983). 

Biosphere Reserves fall within a world classification system of protected areas that is intended to ultimately contain representative samples of all the principal ecological systems and gene pools (Davis and Drake 1983). Importantly, Biosphere Reserves are not analogous to national parks, sanctuaries or other traditionally managed forms of protected area. Their design and operation is based on sustainable use and promotes stewardship by humans rather than their exclusion (Agardy 1989). 

Davis and Drake (1983) summarized the major goals of Biosphere Reserves as: 

1 . To conserve for present and future use the diversity and integrity of communities of plants and animals and semi-natural 
     ecosystems and to safeguard the genetic diversity of species on which their continuing evolution depends. 

2. To provide areas for ecological and environmental research and monitoring consistent with the above goals. 

3. To provide facilities for the education and training of scientists, managers of protected areas and interested individuals. 

4. To provide a forum for the exchange of information. 

Within these four goals, Longmore (1993) defined nine major objectives for Biosphere Reserves: 

• International Network
• Management
• In-Situ Conservation
• Research
• Monitoring
• Regional Planning
• Local Participation
• Environmental Education and Training
• Information

The following areas within the region would be an integral part of the Biosphere (Click on this link). 

For more information about Biospheres around the world go to the UNESCO Website Man and the Biosphere - MAB. 

The above proposal was launched at a meeting in Geelong in July 2001.