© 2007 UBE
The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
Switzerland
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
Biosphere Management
Chlosterbüel 28
CH-6170 Schüpfheim
Switzerland
Tel. +41 41 485 88 50
Fax. +41 41 485 88 01
E-mail: [email protected]
Advancing towards a model of sustainable living
and working.
www.biosphaere.ch
Unlocking fresh perspectives for the future
Welcome to the Entlebuch, one of the
most beautiful and extraordinary regions
of Switzerland. Fully one quarter of the
surface area given over to the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch is moorland of
national importance. The Entlebuch is
unique in Switzerland in having so many
nationally protected moors within such
a compact area: the UNESCO Biosphere
Entlebuch is characterised by 44 highland moors, 61 marshes and four large
expanses of moorland landscape. The
Laubersmad-Salwidili moor is even
included in the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance.
The 400 km² region not only contains the
largest and most diverse moorland
landscapes in Switzerland – it is also
home to a significant variety of flora and
fauna. Moreover, the rich historical and
cultural heritage of the Entlebuch’s
municipalities makes it a tourism destination of broad and varied appeal.
Above all, however, the manner in which
the local population goes about its daily
life cultivates a sense of tradition and
custom – though without ever losing
sight of the here-and-now. The Entlebuch’s future is not something dreamt
up on the drawing board; rather, it takes
shape through sober dialogue and joint
enterprises and with the application of
knowledge and craftsmanship – and
more than a dash of enjoyment!
With its strategy of cooperation, participation and communication, the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch has come to be
seen as something of a model region in
the eyes of other biosphere reserves
around the world. People living here
in this tract of pre-alpine nature have
learned to think in terms of ‘valuecreation chains’. Local groups and
forums bring ideas to fruition that they
have previously discussed in formal
sessions. Those involved are aiming to
negotiate innovative solutions fairly and
equitably – all to the benefit of the
en-vironment, the economy and society.
The imaginative development and marketing of the goods and services we produce here in the Entlebuch attest both
to the keen consciousness of natural
and cultural values that reigns here and
to the will of the people to take on an
active role in shaping their future. We
also need to accept that neither nature
nor we humans can ever be perfect – we
must learn to embrace imperfection.
Our life in the Entlebuch is an ongoing
and transparent societal process of
seeking, learning and shaping. The
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is host
not only to exceptional tracts of nature,
mouth-watering delicacies and superb
relaxation opportunities for body soul,
but also offers a blueprint on how we
should be living our lives together in the
community.
Progress that could serve by way of
example to other regions can be
achieved only by identifying the local
and regional stakeholders who have
successfully assimilated the idea of the
biosphere reserve and learned to think
in terms of sustainability.
We would be delighted were you to take
a closer interest in our lively and dynamic region. Come and visit us soon!
Kindest regards
Theo Schnider
Director of the UNESCO Biosphere
Entlebuch
Facts and figures
The eight municipalities that make up
the region of Entlebuch – Doppleschwand, Romoos, Entlebuch, Hasle,
Schüpfheim, Flühli-Sörenberg, Escholzmatt and Marbach – were awarded the
status of biosphere reserve by UNESCO
(the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in September 2001, a move implemented
through its Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves. Entlebuch is the first
such region in Switzerland to be so designated. Within the World Network of
biosphere reserves, the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch represents a prealpine landscape of moors and cave formations covering 394 km², corresponding
to just under 1% of Switzerland’s total
land area. Some 17,000 people live in the
eight municipalities. The economic
Doppleschwand
Romoos
structure of the Entlebuch is characterised by a marked rural bias in comparison to the rest of Switzerland. 33%
of the working population works in the
first sector, 25% in the second and 42%
in the third sector. The Entlebuch Biosphere Region as a whole provides
approximately 8,000 jobs. (Switzerland:
1st sector 5.4%; 2nd sector 25.5%; 3rd
sector 69.1%. Source: Swiss Federal
Office of Statistics 2006.)
The Entlebuch region is almost alone in
benefiting from such a wealth of natural
resources in such concentration. The
Swiss population’s acceptance of the
Rothenthurm Moorland Protection Initiative in a referendum in 1987 was the
spark that jolted the Entlebuch to attention. What were the implications of the
Entlebuch
Hasle
new moorland conservation legislation
for the economic situation of our communities? After all, the Entlebuch’s
nationally protected zones together
account for more than half of the region’s
land area. Inspired by UNESCO’s Man
and the Biosphere (MAB) programme,
the Entlebuch opted for a new definition
of nature conservancy. The inhabitants
of the Entlebuch recognised that here
was an opportunity to integrate into their
lives and turn to their advantage the
potential constraints of the 1987 Initiative with its extensive nature and landscape conservation aspirations. Rather
than withdraw from the conservation
zones, they countered by putting forth
their own wishes and needs, tailored to
the specifics of the environment. In September 2000, following a commendably
Schüpfheim
Flühli-Sörenberg
short process of preparation, and by an
unexpectedly overwhelming majority of
94% in local voting, the inhabitants of the
Entlebuch approved the taking of an
historic step forwards – the creation of a
UNESCO biosphere reserve.
A biosphere reserve is the ideal tool for
safeguarding for future generations the
natural and cultural landscape of the
Entlebuch so carefully nurtured by our
forefathers, and taking it to the next
level. Sympathetic corrective maintenance of the region’s natural resources
has a conservation effect, but it also
helps boost the local economy. Conservation through utilisation is the guiding
credo of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch – and it enjoys the wholehearted
involvement of the local population.
Escholzmatt
Marbach
MAB – the biosphere reserve concept
One of UNESCO’s responsibilities is to
identify potential biosphere reserves
within the framework of the Man and the
Biosphere (MAB) programme, the
emphasis being on the conservation of
typical natural and cultural landscapes.
UNESCO initiated the MAB programme
in 1970 as one involving intergovernmental and interdisciplinary science.
The 1992 Earth summit in Rio de
Janeiro can be seen as a crucial turning
point in the MAB programme. In the
summit’s aftermath, UNESCO’s 1995
general conference in Seville, Spain,
redefined international guidelines for the
establishment of a world network of
biosphere reserves.
According to the Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves, such reserves are
obliged to implement the Convention of
Biological Diversity, Agenda 21 and other
international agreements – and therefore sustainable development itself.
biosphere reserves should act as model
regions, where research into and demonstrations of conservation and sustainable development take place at a
regional level. Biosphere reserves, in
essence, aim to tackle some of the major
existential issues of the day:
The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a
platform upon which its regional
management team, directorate, forums,
working groups and municipal administrations work at trying to solve these
questions. Their activities are structured
around a sturdy three-pillar model:
• How may we safeguard and maintain
the diversity of plants, animals and
microorganisms, which our natural
biosphere incorporates and which
keeps the ecology in healthy
equilibrium?
• Nature and culture in the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch is protected and
maintained in order to ensure the
region’s continuing autonomous
development.
• How may we balance this against
fulfilling the material needs and
aspirations of a world population
whose growth is accelerating?
• How may we link in the preservation of
natural resources and the conservation
of organic knowledge about primordial
communities in order that they might
be harnessed for the common good?
• The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is
far from being a landscape ‘preserved in aspic’. The local population’s economic and social interests
and aspirations are inherent elements in the concept, actively advanced
in keeping with the principles of
sustainability. The ongoing and transparent societal process of seeking,
learning and shaping is of particular
relevance here. As a result, the
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a
form of experimental laboratory
looking into sustainable living and
working.
• Education and research in the
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch deal
with more than the immediate
regional environment: their remit
takes a national and international
approach to looking at how we can
continue to benefit from nature
without damaging it any further.
The World Network of biosphere reserves
is the collection of all 507 biosphere
reserves in 102 countries (as of December 2006). They include such famous
locations as the Galapagos Islands off
the coast of Ecuador, the Serengeti in
Tanzania, the Camargue in France and
the US’s Yellowstone National Park.
According to the statutory framework
of the World Network of biosphere reserves, of which the Entlebuch is one,
reserves are created to ‘promote and
demonstrate a balanced relationship
between humans and the biosphere’.
The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
came about in accordance with the 1995
Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves,
the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme and the Swiss Government’s
own set of criteria (2001).
The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch has,
in its own way, already managed to turn
into a fine art what other regions around
the world are still at the explorative
stage with: the adoption of holistic planning and implementation based on
traditional values and the creation of
new values – all to the benefit of the local
population, who are part of and partners
with nature.
Sustainable development calls for diverse and lifelong learning processes.
Zoning – spatial organisation and other
criteria
In accordance with the stipulations of UNESCO and Switzerland’s own criteria, a
biosphere reserve must be composed of core, buffer and transition zones categorised according to the impact of human activity; it must also have a management
programme.
Core zones
Core zones allow optimal development
of natural and near-natural ecosystems
by means of a comprehensive conservation programme. In the Entlebuch,
these are areas already subject to strict
controls: peat bogs and raised bogs, rock
formations, no-hunting zones and alluvial and riverine forests.
Buffer zones
Buffer zones envelop core zones and are
the subject of extensive exploitation. The
emphasis here is on the ecologically
compatible utilisation of resources for
the benefit of the local population, the
moors and landscapes and the designated protected landscapes of national
importance.
Transition zones
Transition zones comprise agricultural
land and forestry as well as land dedicated to industry and trade, service
businesses, settlements and transport
networks. This, in the Entlebuch, is
where the human dimension of the
biosphere concept can be seen in all its
glory, and where the sustainable development of the entire biosphere reserve is put into action.
Status 2006
Transition zone
Buffer zone
Core zone
Biogeographical representativity
A new biosphere reserve can be created
only where there is a typical all-encompassing presence of ecosystems and
land-use patterns not already present
in an existing biosphere reserve in
the country. In the World Network of
biosphere reserves, the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch represents a prealpine landscape of moors and cave
formations.
Research
The implementation of applied and practice-oriented research is of prime importance. Research carried out in the
Entlebuch is interdisciplinary in nature.
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch:
guiding principles
The main guiding principles of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch – those defining
the long-term orientation of the region – include the ideas of preservation, development, codetermination and cooperation. The unique, protected natural and
cultural landscape – especially the moors and cave formations – deserves to be
preserved and, no less important, sustainable development needs to be promoted
in the region. The increase in value creation will come as a result of a fresh set of
ambitious targets, strong collaborations and the innovations that ensue.
Preservation and development
The preservation of the natural and cultural landscape and the sustainable
exploitation of resources form the basis
for an enduring development of the region as a place to live and work.
Codetermination
The local population’s right to codetermination is enshrined in the region’s
various organisational entities such as
the Assembly of Delegates, the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch Supporters’ Club
and sector-specific forums and working
groups.
Cooperation
Cross-municipal and other inclusive
forms of cooperation foster innovation
and thus an increase in value creation,
as well as enduring growth. Growth
requires a balanced and needs-led
process of give and take. Innovation, in
particular, emerges out of the interplay
between networks. Collaboration with
other destinations and regions receives
a real boost as a result.
Management
A centre of excellence led by the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch’s regional management has been established to provide
professional supervision and advice,
coordinate research and education,
facilitate the development process and
encourage regional marketing. The
management’s coordinating role helps
boost the dynamics within the forums
and working groups.
The Entlebuch cooperation model
Finance
The process of codetermination is pursued by means of a cooperation model
(see illustration), which also facilitates
sustainable development and thus the
Entlebuch’s prosperity. Facilitated networks – the forums – and professional
management ensure the inclusion of
business and community in the process.
The Coordination Committee discusses
joint activities and objectives and defines
The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a
service enterprise employing around
twelve people on both a full-time and
part-time basis. It operates on an annual budget of approximately CHF 1.8 million (2007), which is made up of contributions from the Swiss Federal
Government, Lucerne canton, the local
municipalities, organisations and clubs,
sponsors, foundations and project funds.
them in a statement of intent. The codetermination methodology – linked to
experiences emerging out of the Entlebuch process – facilitates the cooperation model’s applicability to other regions. The Entlebuch today is a model
region of international significance, in
particular as concerns communication,
codetermination and cooperation.
Dialogue and a willingness to cooperate are key to intelligent growth. The Entlebuch
cooperation model is described on detail in the DVD ’Where we go, paths are created
for others to follow‘.
Additional mandates or projects from
municipalities, the canton or the Swiss
Confederation can result in the creation
of extra positions. UNESCO itself does
not provide any funding to the UNESCO
Biosphere Entlebuch.
Sustainability on the ground:
the impact of the UNESCO Biosphere
Entlebuch
The Entlebuch is accepted today as a pacesetter and paradigm of Swiss regional
nature parks of national importance. The Swiss media carry on average three
stories a day on the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. One of over 507 biosphere reserves worldwide, the region of Entlebuch is also leading the way when it comes to
the production and marketing of its quality products. To date over 300 regional products bear the label ‘Echt Entlebuch’ (genuine Entlebuch), and a dozen innkeepers
and restaurateurs meet the strict requirements to be our ’Gastropartners‘ (official
catering partners). Other service partners such as banks and schools are also involved in the project. The forums, too, are an endless source of new projects and
offerings.
Ecology
The Entlebuch Biosphere’s core and buffer zones provide lasting protection for
the wild, pre-alpine moors and cave
formations. Long-term monitoring
programmes help furnish proof of the
effectiveness of the measures. The
incidence of rare species of flora and
fauna and endangered ecosystems is
currently stable, with certain species of
moorland plants and butterflies even
increasing. A working group has been
set up with the aim of creating a stimulating visitor experience and optimising
our wildlife habitat management.
Nature excursions help heighten the
public’s awareness of the world around
them: the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
has become Switzerland’s leading provider of initiatives such as this. All eight
municipalities have adopted the ‘Ökoqualitätsvernetzung’ (eco-quality network) project, and the LaubersmadSalwidili moor has even been included
in the coveted Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance.
Economy
Schüpfheim hosts a Biosphere Centre
with a small full-time and part-time staff
of qualified professionals. Around 30
other people work on a part-time basis
as excursion leaders and visitor assistants. With numbers of visitors participating in our organised excursions
doubling year on year (more than 4,200
in 2006), we are planning on creating
further part-time posts for our excursion and ranger activities. It is hard to
quantify the number of jobs that have
been created indirectly as a result of
sales promotions and new offerings in
back-to-nature-style tourism. A number
of initiatives have already been successfully launched, including the ‘Gastropartner’ concept, the Biosphere Pass
and the Biosphere School. Tourist marketing is concentrated on the region and
targets specific audiences. Broadbased
image campaigns help raise awareness
in the market. On offer is a vast range
of activities, ranging from all forms of
winter sports and wellness opportunities (e.g. Kneippism hydrotherapy) to
rambling, nature excursions, self-guided
walks along interpreted paths – the list
is long. The Swiss National Tourist Office
has already awarded three Entlebuch
products its ‘NaturPur’ label. The region’s
municipalities are continually coming up
with new projects and offerings, and a
number of visitor centres have already
been successfully established. Last but
by no means least, the Entlebuch’s regional management has been actively
assisting in the planning and implementation of a variety of building works and
initiatives in the locality.
Community
The local population’s identification with
its region has risen, and the image of the
Entlebuch beyond the region is contributing to a new-found sense of pride
amongst the inhabitants. A large proportion of them give careful thought as to
how the Entlebuch biosphere reserve
might be rendered even more tangible.
Good ideas land on the regional managers’ desks on a daily basis, or are developed in the forums. Sustainability
cannot be ordained from on high – the
local population must consciously engage in a process of learning, experiencing and shaping. The Entlebuch Cooperation model has already been
acknowledged on the international stage, with large numbers of delegations
from various regions and countries visiting the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
to examine its codetermination model.
‘Journal’, our official magazine, appears
annually and has a print run of 100,000
copies and an attentive readership of
over half a million – a perfect supraregional advertising and information
platform.
Science/education
The intention has always been that scientific work should contribute to the
development of the UNESCO Biosphere
Entlebuch. The LACOPE project, for
instance, embarked on nurturing a promising alpine economy. This was followed up by a walking book – ‘Schöne
Aussichten’ – which brings to life
Lucerne’s alpine hiking opportunities.
The VISULAND project developed tools
for visualising changes in the landscape;
these were used for preparing the Forest
Development plan. At the time of writing,
a monitoring system is being established
that will allow us to better quantify and
qualify the progress made by the
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch.
Education-wise, our vision here includes
the setting up of educational opportunities across the region designed to communicate the theory and practice that
underlie the idea of the UNESCO Bio-
sphere Entlebuch. Guests and inhabitants alike need to be spreading the
message of the UNESCO Biosphere
Entlebuch. By way of example, children
and young people can spend a week
working on a project at our Biosphere
School where they have lessons on a
farm and enjoy trips around the region
(www.biosphaerenschule.ch). 2006 saw
20 classes (more than 600 pupils) take
advantage of the opportunity. The
Entlebuch’s 250 teachers are helping to
integrate the regional biosphere as a
topic in the curriculum, and are being
issued with teaching materials. The project kicked off with a teacher-training
day involving all the teaching staff in the
region. Adult education is in the hands of
the Education Factory and will include
such topics as conference tourism,
seminars, courses, excursions and ranger work.
Milestones in the evolution
of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
1987
A citizens’ referendum approves
the Rothenthurm
Initiative seeking
to protect
moorland.
Until 1996
Implementation of legislation underpinning the
Rothenthurm Initiative.
Launch of the Moorland
Information Centre study.
Development of Moorland
Landscapes guidelines.
1997
Launch of the Entlebuch Habitat
project by the Entlebuch Regional
Planning Association.
Initial studies into viability
of a biosphere reserve.
Development of a regional
management structure.
Until 1998
Regional management of the
biosphere reserve Entlebuch
gets to work.
Project receives broad support
from e.g. RegioPlus
(1999–2001).
The Regional Planning Association constitutes a project
committee.
2000
1999
Development of
the overall concept
(zoning, guiding
principles, education concept,
research strategy,
etc.).
2001
Entlebuch awarded the status of
biosphere reserve by UNESCO in
September 2001 – a move implemented through the Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves.
Establishment of ‘Echt Entlebuch’
brand.
2004
Launch of the slogan: Lucerne’s
Wild West.
Cooperative agreements set up
with six other Swiss bearers of
UNESCO labels.
2007
Appearance of various events and
publications celebrating 20 years of
moorland protection.
Launch of major municipal cooperation project.
Local municipal referendums
approve the proposed funding
by a massive majority of 94%.
Submission of application for
recognition as a biosphere
reserve to Swiss Confederation and Lucerne canton.
2002
Official handover
of certificate by
Swiss Confederation President
Kaspar Villiger.
2003
The biosphere reserve
Entlebuch re-baptised
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch – Lucerne Switzerland. Development of the
Entlebuch cooperation
model.
2005
Involvement in various
EU InterReg IIIC
research projects.
Award for close-to-nature
tourism by the Swiss
National Tourist Office.
2008
Designation as
first Regional
Nature Park of
National
Importance.
2006
Nature and Homeland Protection Act
revised.
‘Energiestadt’ label
re-audited.
2011
Assumption of
financial controlling
by UNESCO under
its MAB
programme.