Our Biosphere Reserve
The Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve was established in 1994 and consists of the Archipelago Sea National Park and the parts of the archipelago that belong to the town of Pargas and the municipality of Kimitoön. This means the islands of Houtskär, Korpo, Nagu and Iniö as a whole, and parts of Pargas, Dragsfjärd, Västanfjärd and Kimito.
The biosphere reserve has about 3300 inhabitants, of which about 350 live on smaller islands without a road ferry. The population is mainly Swedish-speaking, and the average age is relatively high, compared to the rest of the country. There are many part-time inhabitants in the area, and it is becoming more common to use the well-equipped holiday home as a second home. Tourism has doubled since the turn of the millennium and is steadily increasing. Thereby, the importance of tourism as an industry in the archipelago is also increasing.
Our vision
In the Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve, people live and work in a sustainable archipelago environment with a rich nature, a healthy sea and vibrant community. The Biosphere Reserve collaborates actively with other biosphere reserves both nationally and internationally.
To achieve a sustainable social development, we work on behalf of UNESCO on finding local solutions to global challenges for a sustainable development. This is done by ways of education, research and development projects, and through knowledge development and collaboration, as well as voluntary efforts. The Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve shall, in collaboration with the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) function as a model area for sustainable solutions.
Operating principles
All biosphere reserves of the world must fulfil three functions; preserve, develop and support the area in which they operate. Below is an overview of how we work within the Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve. Choose “What we do” to get more information about our activities in practice!
Our operating principles underpin all of our activities
Through knowledge and experiences, people’s relationship with nature and
culture deepens and their capacity to contribute to a sustainable future is strengthened.
The biosphere reserve with its UNESCO status unites and inspires, and shared successes are celebrated by everyone.
The biosphere reserve is a model for sustainable development locally, nationally and internationally.
The MAB program’s three functions
All biosphere reserves of the world must fulfil three functions; preserve, develop and support the area in which they operate.
PRESERVE
To preserve the archipelago’s cultural heritage, its natural diversity, a traditional cultural landscape and a thriving Archipelago Sea.
The biosphere reserve strives to preserve the cultural heritage of the archipelago, the diversity of nature, traditional cultural landscapes, and a healthy Archipelago Sea. A large part of the protected natural areas belong to the national park, but we also strive to preserve other areas as attractive places for living and recreation. The managing of cultural landscapes, and thus the preservation of biodiversity, is an example of activities that support both ecological and economical values. By promoting communication between universities, policy makers and local residents, we want to popularize and more effectively disseminate research on the marine flora and fauna of the Archipelago Sea.
DEVELOPE
To implement development projects that promote year-round settlement, employment, sustainable tourism and innovations relating to sustainability in the archipelago, and to promote a circular economy.
We implement development projects that promote year-round settlement, employment, sustainable tourism and innovations and circular economy. We work for an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable development of the communities of the archipelago, where job opportunities and attractive housing are important factors. Both tourism and the food industry create new employment opportunities in the archipelago. We work for CO2 and nutrient neutral municipalities. The biosphere reserve acts as a catalyst for various development projects by bringing together people, organizations, ideas, knowledge and funding. The projects are run by various partners in the biosphere reserve, as part of the biosphere reserve’s activities.
SUPPORT
To convey knowledge, good experiences and contacts, and to inspire those who live and work in the Archipelago Sea to find their role in sustainable social development.
The biosphere reserve conveys knowledge, good experience and contacts, and wants to inspire all that live and work in the Archipelago Sea to find their role in a sustainable social progress. We create and maintain networks and tools for research, education and information. We offer a neutral arena on what sustainable development is all about. This includes environmental and cultural education for children and young people, compilation of popular science information material, investigations or research projects in collaboration with the universities, discussion opportunities on current issues and dissemination of information through seminars.