Trevor Hancock: Why become an UNESCO urban biosphere region? |
Largely lost in the flurry of pre-Christmas distractions was a Dec. 10 announcement from the Greater Victoria Naturehood that the Capital Regional District board had approved a staff recommendation to prepare nomination documents designating Greater Victoria a UNESCO urban biosphere region.
This followed several years of work led by Martin Segger, an architectural historian and co-ordinator of the UNESCO Victoria World Heritage Project, together with the Greater Victoria Naturehood.
There are several things here that need unpacking. First, what is the Greater Victoria Naturehood? And for that matter, what is a naturehood? Also, what is UNESCO, what is an urban biosphere region, and why does any of this matter?
The concept of a “naturehood” was developed by Nature Canada in 2012. It’s “any place you go to connect with the earth’s natural wonders,” including “any green space in your neighbourhood … an overlooked urban forest, a community garden, the park at the end of your street, or your backyard.”
The main point of a Naturehood initiative is to connect people of all ages — but especially children and youth — with nature so they are more inclined to protect and restore it.
Here in........