Educación ambiental en Reservas de la Biosfera

Biosphere reserves play an important role as places for learning about sustainable development,
as one of their goals is to implement general models. This is achieved by establishing operational
instruments for use in specific circumstances.
An analysis of successful experiences in biosphere reserves shows that several characteristics or
factors determine success and can be applied to, or at least serve as a reference for, other places.
Such characteristics include treating environmental education as a social process, integrating
education and management, promoting participation, and recognizing the community’s leading
role.
As a case study, five significant experiences of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve are presented: a)
the declaration of this site as a biosphere reserve, b) the Management Plan for Interpretation,
Research and Environmental Education, c) a federation of environmental volunteers, d) the School
Agenda 21 and e) the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development and Environmental Education.