ABSTRACT
This chapter draws on the insights from the contributors to reinforce the relevance of UNESCO biosphere reserves (BRs) for the practice and science of sustainability. The chapter discusses the commitments of scientists and practitioners to the ideals of biodiversity conservation and sustainability development with justice and equality, offers on-going lessons for practice and research, identifies persistent challenges and emerging opportunities of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and provides key messages to inform future practice. The value of BRs lies not only in site-specific innovations, but in the coherence derived from belonging to a network. For example, BRs support both national and international priorities associated with pressing problems such as biodiversity loss and climate change, and can share lessons across the network. Although the network was established almost 50 years ago, developing meaningful and effective collaborations among researchers and practitioners takes time, and good practices continue to evolve. Given the geographic and cultural diversity of sites, what defines good practice is likely to always remain context-specific. Nevertheless, as participants in the network continue to engage and support diverse knowledge holders and knowledge systems, in its commitments to build peace among people and between people and ‘nature’, BRs remain unique and vital to sustaining home among the planet’s inhabitants.
