The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Switzerland

E-mail: [email protected] +41 41485 8801 Fax. +41414858850 Tel. Switzerland CH-6170 Schüpfheim Chlosterbüel 28 Biosphere Management UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch www.biosphaere.ch

Welcome to the Entlebuch, one of the Above all, however, the manner in which sessions. Those involved are aiming to should be living our lives together in the most beautiful and extraordinary regions the local population goes about its daily negotiate innovative solutions fairly and community. of Switzerland. Fully one quarter of the life cultivates a sense of tradition and equitably – all to the benefi t of the surface area given over to the UNESCO custom – though without ever losing en-vironment, the economy and society. Progress that could serve by way of Biosphere Entlebuch is moorland of sight of the here-and-now. The Entle- example to other regions can be national importance. The Entlebuch is buch’s future is not something dreamt The imaginative development and mar- achieved only by identifying the local unique in Switzerland in having so many up on the drawing board; rather, it takes keting of the goods and services we pro- and regional stakeholders who have nationally protected moors within such shape through sober dialogue and joint duce here in the Entlebuch attest both successfully assimilated the idea of the a compact area: the UNESCO Biosphere enterprises and with the application of to the keen consciousness of natural biosphere reserve and learned to think Entlebuch is characterised by 44 high- knowledge and craftsmanship – and and cultural values that reigns here and in terms of sustainability. land moors, 61 marshes and four large more than a dash of enjoyment! to the will of the people to take on an expanses of moorland landscape. The active role in shaping their future. We We would be delighted were you to take Laubersmad-Salwidili moor is even With its strategy of cooperation, partici- also need to accept that neither nature a closer interest in our lively and dy- included in the Ramsar Convention on pation and communication, the UNESCO nor we humans can ever be perfect – we namic region. Come and visit us soon! Wetlands of International Importance. Biosphere Entlebuch has come to be must learn to embrace imperfection. The 400 km² region not only contains the seen as something of a model region in Our life in the Entlebuch is an ongoing Kindest regards largest and most diverse moorland the eyes of other biosphere reserves and transparent societal process of landscapes in Switzerland – it is also around the world. People living here seeking, learning and shaping. The home to a signifi cant variety of fl ora and in this tract of pre-alpine nature have UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is host fauna. Moreover, the rich historical and learned to think in terms of ‘value- not only to exceptional tracts of nature, Theo Schnider cultural heritage of the Entlebuch’s creation chains’. Local groups and mouth-watering delicacies and superb Director of the UNESCO Biosphere municipalities makes it a tourism des- forums bring ideas to fruition that they relaxation opportunities for body soul, Entlebuch tination of broad and varied appeal. have previously discussed in formal but also offers a blueprint on how we Facts and fi gures

The eight municipalities that make up structure of the Entlebuch is charac- new moorland conservation legislation short process of preparation, and by an the region of Entlebuch – Dopple- terised by a marked rural bias in com- for the economic situation of our com- unexpectedly overwhelming majority of schwand, Romoos, Entlebuch, Hasle, parison to the rest of Switzerland. 33% munities? After all, the Entlebuch’s 94% in local voting, the inhabitants of the Schüpfheim, Flühli-Sörenberg, Escholz- of the working population works in the nationally protected zones together Entlebuch approved the taking of an matt and Marbach – were awarded the fi rst sector, 25% in the second and 42% account for more than half of the region’s historic step forwards – the creation of a status of biosphere reserve by UNESCO in the third sector. The Entlebuch Bio- land area. Inspired by UNESCO’s Man UNESCO biosphere reserve. (the United Nations Educational, Scien- sphere Region as a whole provides and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, tifi c and Cultural Organisation) in Sep- approximately 8,000 jobs. (Switzerland: the Entlebuch opted for a new defi nition A biosphere reserve is the ideal tool for tember 2001, a move implemented 1st sector 5.4%; 2nd sector 25.5%; 3rd of nature conservancy. The inhabitants safeguarding for future generations the through its Seville Strategy for bio- sector 69.1%. Source: Swiss Federal of the Entlebuch recognised that here natural and cultural landscape of the sphere reserves. Entlebuch is the fi rst Offi ce of Statistics 2006.) was an opportunity to integrate into their Entlebuch so carefully nurtured by our such region in Switzerland to be so des- lives and turn to their advantage the forefathers, and taking it to the next ignated. Within the World Network of The Entlebuch region is almost alone in potential constraints of the 1987 Initia- level. Sympathetic corrective mainten- biosphere reserves, the UNESCO Bio- benefi ting from such a wealth of natural tive with its extensive nature and land- ance of the region’s natural resources sphere Entlebuch represents a pre- resources in such concentration. The scape conservation aspirations. Rather has a conservation effect, but it also alpine landscape of moors and cave for- Swiss population’s acceptance of the than withdraw from the conservation helps boost the local economy. Conser- mations covering 394 km², corresponding Rothenthurm Moorland Protection In- zones, they countered by putting forth vation through utilisation is the guiding to just under 1% of Switzerland’s total itiative in a referendum in 1987 was the their own wishes and needs, tailored to credo of the UNESCO Biosphere Entle- land area. Some 17,000 people live in the spark that jolted the Entlebuch to atten- the specifi cs of the environment. In Sep- buch – and it enjoys the wholehearted eight municipalities. The economic tion. What were the implications of the tember 2000, following a commendably involvement of the local population.

Doppleschwand Romoos Entlebuch Hasle Schüpfheim Flühli-Sörenberg Escholzmatt Marbach MAB – the biosphere reserve concept

One of UNESCO’s responsibilities is to biosphere reserves should act as model The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a The World Network of biosphere reserves identify potential biosphere reserves regions, where research into and demon- platform upon which its regional is the collection of all 507 biosphere within the framework of the Man and the strations of conservation and sustain- management team, directorate, forums, reserves in 102 countries (as of Decem- Biosphere (MAB) programme, the able development take place at a working groups and municipal admin- ber 2006). They include such famous emphasis being on the conservation of regional level. Biosphere reserves, in istrations work at trying to solve these locations as the Galapagos Islands off typical natural and cultural landscapes. essence, aim to tackle some of the major questions. Their activities are structured the coast of Ecuador, the Serengeti in UNESCO initiated the MAB programme existential issues of the day: around a sturdy three-pillar model: Tanzania, the Camargue in France and in 1970 as one involving intergovern- the US’s Yellowstone National Park. mental and interdisciplinary science. • How may we safeguard and maintain • Nature and culture in the UNESCO The 1992 Earth summit in Rio de the diversity of plants, animals and Biosphere Entlebuch is protected and According to the statutory framework Janeiro can be seen as a crucial turning microorganisms, which our natural maintained in order to ensure the of the World Network of biosphere re- point in the MAB programme. In the biosphere incorporates and which region’s continuing autonomous serves, of which the Entlebuch is one, summit’s aftermath, UNESCO’s 1995 keeps the ecology in healthy development. reserves are created to ‘promote and general conference in Seville, Spain, equilibrium? demonstrate a balanced relationship redefi ned international guidelines for the • The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is between humans and the biosphere’. establishment of a world network of • How may we balance this against far from being a landscape ‘pre- The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch biosphere reserves. fulfi lling the material needs and served in aspic’. The local popula- came about in accordance with the 1995 aspirations of a world population tion’s economic and social interests Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves, According to the Seville Strategy for bio- whose growth is accelerating? and aspirations are inherent elem- the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) pro- sphere reserves, such reserves are ents in the concept, actively advanced gramme and the Swiss Government’s obliged to implement the Convention of • How may we link in the preservation of in keeping with the principles of own set of criteria (2001). Biological Diversity, Agenda 21 and other natural resources and the conservation sustainability. The ongoing and trans- international agreements – and there- of organic knowledge about primordial parent societal process of seeking, The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch has, fore sustainable development itself. communities in order that they might learning and shaping is of particular in its own way, already managed to turn be harnessed for the common good? relevance here. As a result, the into a fi ne art what other regions around UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a the world are still at the explorative form of experimental laboratory stage with: the adoption of holistic plan- looking into sustainable living and ning and implementation based on working. traditional values and the creation of new values – all to the benefi t of the local • Education and research in the population, who are part of and partners UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch deal with nature. with more than the immediate regional environment: their remit Sustainable development calls for di- takes a national and international verse and lifelong learning processes. approach to looking at how we can continue to benefi t from nature without damaging it any further. Zoning – spatial organisation and other criteria

In accordance with the stipulations of UNESCO and Switzerland’s own criteria, a Core zones Biogeographical representativity biosphere reserve must be composed of core, buffer and transition zones categor- Core zones allow optimal development A new biosphere reserve can be created ised according to the impact of human activity; it must also have a management of natural and near-natural ecosystems only where there is a typical all-encom- programme. by means of a comprehensive conser- passing presence of ecosystems and vation programme. In the Entlebuch, land-use patterns not already present these are areas already subject to strict in an existing biosphere reserve in controls: peat bogs and raised bogs, rock the country. In the World Network of formations, no-hunting zones and allu- biosphere reserves, the UNESCO Bio- vial and riverine forests. sphere Entlebuch represents a pre- alpine landscape of moors and cave Buffer zones formations. Buffer zones envelop core zones and are the subject of extensive exploitation. The Research emphasis here is on the ecologically The implementation of applied and prac- compatible utilisation of resources for tice-oriented research is of prime im- the beneﬁ t of the local population, the portance. Research carried out in the moors and landscapes and the desig- Entlebuch is interdisciplinary in nature. nated protected landscapes of national importance.

Transition zones Transition zones comprise agricultural land and forestry as well as land dedi- cated 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 UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch: guiding principles

The main guiding principles of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch – those deﬁ ning Cooperation Management the long-term orientation of the region – include the ideas of preservation, develop- Cross-municipal and other inclusive A centre of excellence led by the UNESCO ment, codetermination and cooperation. The unique, protected natural and forms of cooperation foster innovation Biosphere Entlebuch’s regional manage- cultural landscape – especially the moors and cave formations – deserves to be and thus an increase in value creation, ment has been established to provide preserved and, no less important, sustainable development needs to be promoted as well as enduring growth. Growth professional supervision and advice, in the region. The increase in value creation will come as a result of a fresh set of requires a balanced and needs-led coordinate research and education, ambitious targets, strong collaborations and the innovations that ensue. process of give and take. Innovation, in facilitate the development process and particular, emerges out of the interplay encourage regional marketing. The between networks. Collaboration with management’s coordinating role helps Preservation and development Codetermination other destinations and regions receives boost the dynamics within the forums The preservation of the natural and cul- The local population’s right to codeter- a real boost as a result. and working groups. tural landscape and the sustainable mination is enshrined in the region’s exploitation of resources form the basis various organisational entities such as for an enduring development of the re- the Assembly of Delegates, the UNESCO gion as a place to live and work. Biosphere Entlebuch Supporters’ Club and sector-speciﬁ c forums and working groups. The Entlebuch cooperation model Finance

The process of codetermination is pur- them in a statement of intent. The co- The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is a Additional mandates or projects from sued by means of a cooperation model determination methodology – linked to service enterprise employing around municipalities, the canton or the Swiss (see illustration), which also facilitates experiences emerging out of the Entle- twelve people on both a full-time and Confederation can result in the creation sustainable development and thus the buch process – facilitates the coopera- part-time basis. It operates on an annu- of extra positions. UNESCO itself does Entlebuch’s prosperity. Facilitated net- tion model’s applicability to other real budget of approximately CHF 1.8 mil- not provide any funding to the UNESCO works – the forums – and professional gions. The Entlebuch today is a model lion (2007), which is made up of contri- Biosphere Entlebuch. management ensure the inclusion of region of international signiﬁ cance, in butions from the Swiss Federal business and community in the process. particular as concerns communication, Government, Lucerne canton, the local The Coordination Committee discusses codetermination and cooperation. municipalities, organisations and clubs, joint activities and objectives and deﬁ nes sponsors, foundations and project funds.

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‘. The Entlebuch is accepted today as a pacesetter and paradigm of Swiss regional Sustainability on the ground: nature parks of national importance. The Swiss media carry on average three the impact of the UNESCO Biosphere 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 Entlebuch 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‘ (ofﬁ cial 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 buf- Nature excursions help heighten the fer zones provide lasting protection for public’s awareness of the world around the wild, pre-alpine moors and cave them: the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch formations. Long-term monitoring has become Switzerland’s leading pro- programmes help furnish proof of the vider of initiatives such as this. All eight effectiveness of the measures. The municipalities have adopted the ‘Öko- incidence of rare species of fl ora and qualitätsvernetzung’ (eco-quality net- fauna and endangered ecosystems is work) project, and the Laubersmad- currently stable, with certain species of Salwidili moor has even been included moorland plants and butterfl ies even in the coveted Ramsar Convention on increasing. A working group has been Wetlands of International Importance. set up with the aim of creating a stimu- lating visitor experience and optimising our wildlife habitat management. Economy Community Schüpfheim hosts a Biosphere Centre targets specifi c audiences. Broadbased The local population’s identifi cation with to examine its codetermination model. with a small full-time and part-time staff image campaigns help raise awareness its region has risen, and the image of the ‘Journal’, our offi cial magazine, appears of qualifi ed professionals. Around 30 in the market. On offer is a vast range Entlebuch beyond the region is con- annually and has a print run of 100,000 other people work on a part-time basis of activities, ranging from all forms of tributing to a new-found sense of pride copies and an attentive readership of as excursion leaders and visitor as- winter sports and wellness opportuni- amongst the inhabitants. A large propor- over half a million – a perfect supra- sistants. With numbers of visitors par- ties (e.g. Kneippism hydrotherapy) to tion of them give careful thought as to regional advertising and information ticipating in our organised excursions rambling, nature excursions, self-guided how the Entlebuch biosphere reserve platform. doubling year on year (more than 4,200 walks along interpreted paths – the list might be rendered even more tangible. in 2006), we are planning on creating is long. The Swiss National Tourist Offi ce Good ideas land on the regional man- further part-time posts for our excur- has already awarded three Entlebuch agers’ desks on a daily basis, or are de- sion and ranger activities. It is hard to products its ‘NaturPur’ label. The region’s veloped in the forums. Sustainability quantify the number of jobs that have municipalities are continually coming up cannot be ordained from on high – the been created indirectly as a result of with new projects and offerings, and a local population must consciously en- sales promotions and new offerings in number of visitor centres have already gage in a process of learning, experien- back-to-nature-style tourism. A number been successfully established. Last but cing and shaping. The Entlebuch Co- of initiatives have already been suc- by no means least, the Entlebuch’s re- operation model has already been cessfully launched, including the ‘Gastro- gional management has been actively acknowledged on the international sta- partner’ concept, the Biosphere Pass assisting in the planning and implemen- ge, with large numbers of delegations and the Biosphere School. Tourist mar- tation of a variety of building works and from various regions and countries visi- keting is concentrated on the region and initiatives in the locality. ting the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Science/education The intention has always been that sci- sphere Entlebuch. Guests and inhab- Milestones in the evolution entifi c work should contribute to the itants alike need to be spreading the development of the UNESCO Biosphere message of the UNESCO Biosphere of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Entlebuch. The LACOPE project, for Entlebuch. By way of example, children instance, embarked on nurturing a pro- and young people can spend a week Until 1996 1997 mising alpine economy. This was fol- working on a project at our Biosphere 1987 Implementation of legisla- Launch of the Entlebuch Habitat lowed up by a walking book – ‘Schöne School where they have lessons on a A citizens’ refer- tion underpinning the project by the Entlebuch Regional endum approves Rothenthurm Initiative. Aussichten’ – which brings to life farm and enjoy trips around the region Planning Association. Lucerne’s alpine hiking opportunities. (www.biosphaerenschule.ch). 2006 saw the Rothenthurm Launch of the Moorland Initiative seeking Information Centre study. Initial studies into viability The VISULAND project developed tools 20 classes (more than 600 pupils) take to protect of a biosphere reserve. for visualising changes in the landscape; advantage of the opportunity. The moorland. Development of Moorland Landscapes guidelines. Development of a regional these were used for preparing the Forest Entlebuch’s 250 teachers are helping to management structure. Development plan. At the time of writing, integrate the regional biosphere as a a monitoring system is being established topic in the curriculum, and are being Until 1998 that will allow us to better quantify and issued with teaching materials. The pro- Regional management of the qualify the progress made by the ject kicked off with a teacher-training biosphere reserve Entlebuch 1999 2000 UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. day involving all the teaching staff in the gets to work. Development of Local municipal referendums approve the proposed funding region. Adult education is in the hands of Project receives broad support the overall concept (zoning, guiding by a massive majority of 94%. Education-wise, our vision here includes the Education Factory and will include from e.g. RegioPlus (1999–2001). principles, educa- Submission of application for the setting up of educational opportun- such topics as conference tourism, tion concept, recognition as a biosphere ities across the region designed to com- seminars, courses, excursions and ran- The Regional Planning Asso- research strategy, reserve to Swiss Confedera- ciation constitutes a project etc.). tion and Lucerne canton. municate the theory and practice that ger work. committee. underlie the idea of the UNESCO Bio- 2003 2001 2002 Entlebuch awarded the status of The biosphere reserve biosphere reserve by UNESCO in Offi cial handover Entlebuch re-baptised September 2001 – a move imple- of certifi cate by UNESCO Biosphere Entle- mented through the Seville Strat- Swiss Confedera- buch – Lucerne Switzer- egy for biosphere reserves. tion President land. Development of the Kaspar Villiger. Entlebuch cooperation Establishment of ‘Echt Entlebuch’ model. brand. 2005 2004 Involvement in various 2006 Launch of the slogan: Lucerne’s EU InterReg IIIC Nature and Home- Wild West. research projects. land Protection Act Cooperative agreements set up Award for close-to-nature revised. with six other Swiss bearers of tourism by the Swiss ‘Energiestadt’ label UNESCO labels. National Tourist Offi ce. re-audited.

2008 2007 2011 Appearance of various events and Designation as publications celebrating 20 years of ﬁ rst Regional Assumption of moorland protection. Nature Park of ﬁ nancial controlling National by UNESCO under Launch of major municipal coopera- Importance. its MAB tion project. programme.