About Our Biosphere
Find out what makes our community and environment so special
The NCBA is working with the community to make our biosphere a celebration of our people, our places, our future.
IF YOU ARE NOT AN NCBA MEMBER PLEASE JOIN US – IT IS FREE!
So, What is a Biosphere?
Welcome to Gubbi Gubbi country and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
The Noosa biosphere reserve was recognised by UNESCO in 2007 under the Man and the Biosphere program. One of more than 600 biospheres worldwide, Noosa is recognised as a celebration of it’s people, it’s places and it’s future.
What is a Biosphere? It is an area comprised of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems in which the local community have managed to combines both conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a special place because of it’s natural environment and it’s community who have worked to protect it and strived to maintain it’s natural, healthy state for generations to come.
The biosphere reserves are established to promote a balanced relationship between humans and the environment. The Noosa biosphere is one of 14 in Australia.
With modern pressures, living within our natural environment and preserving this natural environment does not just happen. It takes hard work to find the balance between conservation of the environment and maintaining sustainable economic development.
The Noosa Community Biosphere Association is a not for profit advocacy group promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially, culturally appropriate & environmentally sustainable.
UNESCO has recognised the Noosa Shire as the first Man and the Biosphere in Queensland & is the result of the progressive & forward-thinking attitudes and endless determination of passionate Noosa residents over decades. Noosa Shire has historical importance to the local indigenous peoples who co-habited here in harmony within their natural surroundings.
Today we, as a dedicated community, still recognise the importance of inclusiveness and preserving what has been saved of our natural environment. As a progressive modern society, we need to embrace the many challenges facing our communities and focus on nurturing and improving social and cultural prosperity and creating job opportunities whilst supporting a sustainable economy.
Many residents and businesses are making improvements to reduce their footprint. Tourism Noosa is supporting eco-tourism. Our council is striving towards zero waste and emissions. NCBA is working closely with the Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) Alliance with a zero emissions target set for 2026.
Most importantly, people in our community are becoming involved at a personal level to live more sustainably and joining an established environment group to support change.
A Snapshot: Our Biosphere in Noosa
NOOSA IS SPECIAL
This region is a special place because of its beautiful, natural environment, and because of its community – who have worked to protect and maintain it.
THE NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve was recognised by UNESCO in 2007 under its Man and the Biosphere program. It is one of over 600 biosphere reserves worldwide and one of 14 in Australia.
WHAT IS A BIOSPHERE?
A Biosphere reserve is an area comprised of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems in which the local community have managed to combine both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources – a balanced relationship between humans and the environment.
ONGOING WORK
Living in harmony with our natural environment does not just happen. It takes hard work to find the balance between conservation and sustainable economic development.
THE SCOPE AND BIO-DIVERSITY
Within the 875 square kilometres of the reserve are a huge diversity of flora, fauna, and ecosystems including many rare and endangered animals. Over 50,000 people live here and over 1 million people visit each year because it is a celebrated holiday destination. It boasts seaside towns, hinterland villages, farming areas and a range of industries and businesses. There is a long and rich cultural history featured in museums, libraries, galleries and information centres.
MAINTAINING THE HARMONY
Social and economic interests need to be in harmony with our environment. There are many opportunities to improve in areas such as transport, water, energy, waste and food and by considering the choices you make every day and how they the impact the environment. There are many challenges working against us including climate change, land clearing, and pollution which increase this need for action.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
There are many groups undertaking projects that enhance our Biosphere. As an example, the newly formed Noosa Community Biosphere Association is undertaking many socio-economic, environmental, cultural, and educational projects. People are becoming more and more involved on a personal level to contribute individually or by joining such groups.
Please join this trend.
OUR ECONOMY
Alongside this, it is clear that without a flourishing economy, resources will not be available to undertake the projects our ecosystems require. We must not ignore the need to maintain sustainable economic development.
THE NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Reserve works through the collaboration of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF) and the Noosa Community Biosphere Association (NCBA) and a variety of community groups. NCBA support and promote programs that encourage looking after the environment and balanced interactions between people, businesses and the environment. Sharing what we have learnt is a key part.
THE NCBA AIM
for an aware community, committed to sustainable living, mitigating climate change, generating economic prosperity, socially aware, that maintains the Noosa culture and encourages a healthy biodiversity.
So, what can we do?
Reducing our carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet is one way to contribute to this. Another is by considering the choices you make every day no matter how small and the impact they may have on our environment.
Many well established environment groups are undertaking projects to protect biodiversity within Noosa. The newly formed NCBA has driven a project in collaboration with other community groups like Boomerang Bags to ban plastic bags and undertaking the socio-economic, environmental, cultural and educational projects to enhance protection of Noosa’s biosphere.
Many residents and businesses are making improvements to reduce their footprint. Tourism Noosa is supporting eco-tourism. Our council is striving towards zero waste and emissions. Most importantly, people like you are becoming involved at a personal level to live more sustainably and joining an established environment group to support change.
There are many challenges facing our biosphere: climate change, land clearing and pollutions puts pressure on our ecosystems. At the same time without a flourishing economy, resources would not be available to undertake the maintenance of these ecosystems.
It’s about finding the balance between conservation of the environment and maintenance of sustainable economic development.
Noosa biosphere reserve works through the collaboration of the NBRF and NCBA and a variety of community groups to support and promote programs that encourage looking after the environment and sharing what we have learnt and allowing Noosa to become a centre for educational excellence.
Let’s make our biosphere a celebration of our people, our places, our future
All of us have been given the gift to call this special place our home. We live in a magical area of the World, and it is no wonder that UNESCO has recognised the Noosa Shire as the very first Man and the Biosphere in Queensland.
This unique and special recognition did not occur overnight. It is the result of the progressive and forward-thinking attitudes and endless determination of passionate Noosa residents over decades.
Noosa Shire has historical importance and for generations the local indigenous peoples co-habited here in harmony within their natural surroundings.
Today we, as stewards of our environment, still recognise the importance of inclusiveness and preserving what has been saved of our natural environment.
As a progressive modern society, we need to embrace the many challenges facing our communities and focus on nurturing and improving social and cultural prosperity and creating job opportunities whilst supporting a smart, sensible and sustainable economy.
Noosa Community Biosphere Association represents the community voice for all Noosa residents living in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve as a NFP advocacy group. Much like Noosa Council’s jurisdiction, the NCBA’s jurisdiction is within the Noosa Biosphere Reserve which sits in the whole of Noosa Shire.
NCBA follows UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere program which includes promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.
Become a Volunteer
Would you like to find out more about volunteering on projects working to support Our Biosphere? There are many great ways you can contribute, we’re always looking for volunteers. Get in touch today!