Waterberg Biosphere reserve

Biospheres are places around the world that manage the different needs between people, development and nature. We do this by promoting and inspiring the relationship, understanding and balance, between people and nature.

All biospheres have valuable landscapes either because they are unspoilt, they provide important services to people or they have biodiversity of conservation importance. Development should be sensitive and managed to ensure the area remains intact and not spoilt. The biosphere reserve programme is a tool to achieve this development while meeting the social needs of people.

Central to biosphere reserve idea is sustainable development. This is economic development that does not deplete the natural resources of the area. The scenic and biodiversity richness of biospheres are their main resources which support the local economy. Not depleting these resources, but using them carefully, and in a varied way, will strengthen these economies providing jobs and social improvements for people. A win-win situation, for both people and nature.