In June 2017, UNESCO`s "Man and the Biosphere Programme" (MAB) recognized the southern part of the Black Forest in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany as a biosphere reserve. Besides Freiburg, 28 municipalities are incorporated into the new biosphere reserve which covers an area spanning over 63,2 ha.

© UNESCO

Biosphere reserves act as models for exploring, establishing and demonstrating sustainable economic systems that positively affect the conservation of biodiversity. Moreover, they act as models for innovative approaches that foster the resilience of communities and opportunities for youth, through livelihood diversification, green businesses and social enterprise.

The new biosphere reserve in the Black Forest region is intended to highlight how activities in the fields of the economy, settlement activity and tourism can be brought in tune with the needs of nature and farming, and can be developed in a sustainable and attractive way in the future.

For more information see

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/