World Network of
Mountain Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere programme
Empowering mountain communities through conservation, research and sustainable development
Learn more about
the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR)
The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR) combines the unique diversity and culture of mountain ecosystems with a common framework for the conservation of the natural and human environment in a context of sustainability. The WNMBR provides a channel for communication and collaboration that fosters the exchange of perspectives, knowledge and experience among mountain biosphere reserves around the world, providing a basis for international research projects and enabling solutions to common challenges.
World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR)
738
World biosphere reserves
474
Biosphere reserves in mountain areas
28
members of the WNMBR
22%
of the earth surface belongs to mountain areas
915
millions of people live in mountain areas
The goals of the WNMBR
Promote the application of scientific and local/Indigenous community knowledge to improve the management of mountain biosphere reserves.
Prioritize lines of research related to the objectives of conservation and sustainable development of mountain biosphere reserves.
Promote the exchange of knowledge and best practice between management teams, scientists and other relevant stakeholders in mountain biosphere reserves.
Members and partners
The WNMBR is permanently being updated with the incorporation of new biosphere reserves that join the network and collaborating institutions that participate in different projects of the WNMBR or provide technical and/or financial support for activities.
Contact the WNMBR
Send us a message with all the questions or information you would like to know, we will answer you as soon as possible.
Do you want to join the WNMBR?
If you are a UNESCO mountain biosphere reserve or a research centre with an interest in mountains, contact us for more information on how to join the WNMBR.

The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves meets in China for its first face-to-face seminar.
The Valles de Omaña and Luna Biosphere Reserve in León, together with the Eco-Environmental Research Center of China, in their capacity as joint technical secretariat of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves, organized the first in-person meeting of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves from September 18 to 22, 2023, in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China. The event brought together 60 participants, including representatives from Mountain Biosphere Reserves, related organizations, experts, and academics from 17 countries across five continents.

The Valles de Omaña and Luna Biosphere Reserve is participating as a speaker at the VI International Ecotourism Fair of Castile and León, Naturcyl, in Ruesga (Palencia)

The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves is unveiled at the 35th Meeting of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme
Between June 11th and 14th, the Valles de Omaña y Luna Biosphere Reserve, in its role as the technical secretariat of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR), had the honor of attending the meeting convened by the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) Office and the 34 Member States that make up the International Coordinating Council (ICC) of UNESCO’s MAB, at its headquarters in Paris.