Engaging the United States Network of Biosphere Reserves in a changing social-political context

The United States was an integral part of the early growth UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), yet changing political social contexts have impacted relationship between US MAB. Poised at start a new period activity, as reviews its strategy on current future engagement with MAB, it is critical to discuss factors that influenced history involvement in World Network Reserves (WNBR) how will engage future. For purpose this article, (USBN) refers recently reinvigorated network biosphere reserves US. As many USBN sites are partially or fully mountainous ecosystems, renewed contribute conservation some nation’s most prized mountain landscapes. This article provides overview reserve concept intergovernmental programme. We challenges facing USBN, including relevancy inclusion, relations UNESCO, perceptions zoning. present examples opportunities strategies been implemented by Champlain-Adirondack region, followed conclusions revisioning MAB globally for next 50 years.