MEDIA RELEASE – 21 JUNE 2021
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF) has had a new four-year partnership agreement with Noosa Council unanimously approved.
The partnership renews the long-standing relationship and recognises the value of the NBRF in progressing the aims of Noosa’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Chair of the Foundation, Rex Halverson says the partnership provides certainty and continuity for the future.
“I thank the Noosa Councillors and staff, as well as the Noosa community for their ongoing encouragement and support. This partnership agreement provides us confidence to continue to move forward with our medium to long-term projects and goals with assurance we can deliver high value outcomes for the Noosa Shire,” said Mr Halverson.
Cr Tom Wegener, Council’s representative on the NBRF board, said Councillors voted unanimously to support the new partnership agreement. “I’m really excited about the continuing evolution of the NBRF,” Cr Wegener said.
Mr Halverson explained biosphere reserves are regions of excellence where communities work together to find innovative solutions to sustainable human development. “We believe Noosa is becoming a leading example of a community doing just so,” he said.
“Just last month we signed an MoU with University of the Sunshine Coast and we’re already working on developing two multi-year PhD projects with more to come. We’re also working on innovative research to provide new data on Glossy Black-Cockatoo nesting sites that will inform future local conservation efforts.
“We have been increasing our community engagement through our collaborative stakeholder symposiums, newsletters, fundraising gala and community event participation. We recently established an Advisory Panel to the Board with our first female advisor in place and are actively seeking additional diversity and voices. And excitingly, we are about to launch a new Noosa Biosphere Awards program recognising sustainability excellence within our community,” said Mr Halverson.
Executive Coordinator, Sharon Wright says the signing of the partnership agreement highlights a pivotal shift in a positive new direction for NBRF. “We are committed to ensuring the Noosa Biosphere remains a ‘celebration of community and environment’ and will continue to work closely with the Noosa community, our partners and supporters to build on these relationships,” said Ms Wright.
Noosa was designated as the Noosa Biosphere Reserve in 2007 under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. It encompasses the Noosa Shire local government area, plus three kilometres offshore.
