The Beaver Hills was designated as a biosphere on March 19, 2016 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is a global recognition of a collective commitment by the communities within the region to celebrate and advance knowledge, culture, nature and economy together.

One of only 19 biospheres in Canada, it is a distinct geographic area and resilient landscape in which people work together to contribute to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of the Beaver Hills region. 

What Makes the Beaver Hills Biosphere Special

• Ecological treasure: The Beaver Hills is an island of rolling hills, wetlands, lakes and forests surrounded by farmland and development. It provides habitat for over 48 species of mammals, 8 species of amphibians and reptiles, and more than 150 bird species.
• Protected areas: Large protected areas of note include Elk Island National Park, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, and other important conservation lands.
• Community collaboration: The Biosphere grew out of the Beaver Hills Initiative (2002), a partnership of 20+ organizations working to balance growth with conservation in the region. The Biosphere is administered by the Beaver Hills Biosphere Region Association.
• A lived-in landscape: Communities, governments and organizations collaborate to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, promote sustainable economic and human development, celebrate cultural heritage and community well-being in the Beaver Hills. 

The Beaver Hills Biosphere is both a conservation success story and a living experiment in sustainable community development. It’s a place where ecological richness meets human stewardship, offering lessons for Alberta and beyond.