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USC awarded as Noosa Biosphere partner
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s years of work with the Noosa Biosphere as part of USC’s commitment to help the region become more sustainable and adapt to climate change was officially recognised today, 4 August.
The University was one of 10 key local organisations to be awarded partnership status with UNESCO’s Noosa Biosphere Reserve under the biosphere’s new alliance program to encourage the sharing of information and resources.
“We recognise that USC has similar values to Noosa Biosphere Ltd and has been working actively to further the sustainability objectives of our region,” said Michael Donovan, Chair of Noosa Biosphere Ltd.
The Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE was the only other educational institution among the mostly community and non-profit groups to be named Noosa Biosphere partners.
Professor Tim Smith, Director of USC’s Sustainability Research Centre, accepted the award at today’s ceremony at Sheraton Noosa.
USC Lecturer in Environmental and Climate Change Policy Kate English, who was this year appointed to the biosphere’s eight-person governing body after several years of collaboration, said the award was valuable because climate change was a critical issue.
“It’s important to educate the public formally through our University’s courses but also informally through related community projects,” said Ms English, who lives at Sunshine Beach and is doing a USC PhD in climate change adaptation.
Other USC academics with strong voluntary involvement in the Biosphere include Dr Neil Tindale, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Chemistry; Steven Boyd, Lecturer in Property Economics and Development; Johanna Rosier, Associate Professor of Regional and Urban Planning; and Dr Sonia Marshall.
Ms English and Dr Tindale formed a working group in February 2010 to develop a Noosa Climate Action Project (NCAP) which has held seminars for community leaders and climate adaptation workshops for residents across the Noosa area.
“The project was recognised in a recent UNESCO publication, where USC was noted as a partner in the Noosa case study. Only 28 climate change case studies from more than 550 biospheres worldwide were acknowledged in the report,” Ms English said.
“I’m happy to share my time and knowledge through the Noosa Biosphere because it’s all helping to develop an action plan to address the future impacts of climate change on our region.”
USC’s ongoing relationship with the Noosa Biosphere matches its mission statement of regional engagement and sustainability.
It also generates study, work and research opportunities for USC students.
“Our students can get hands-on experience and learn more about the intersection between science and public policy,” Ms English said.
“Currently there’s a USC student and a USC graduate who are members of the Biosphere’s sector boards.”
UNESCO biosphere reserves are model regions established across the globe to demonstrate innovative economic and social strategies that use natural resources in a sustainable way, at the same time conserving precious habitats.
– Julie Gatehouse