Bras d'Or Lake should be given UNESCO designation: group

A group in Cape Breton wants the United Nations to designate Bras d'Or Lake as a biosphere reserve.

The designation falls under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO. Biosphere reserves are sites recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program that demonstrate innovative ways towards conservation and sustainable development.

Teresa MacNeil, chairwoman of the Bras d'Or Biosphere Reserve Association, said  the group will present the draft application to members at a meeting Monday night in Bras d'Or before it is sent to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

"We already have many organizations and agencies that are working to protect the lake and its watershed. And we, with this biosphere reserve designation, are going to raise the level of attention … we ourselves will give to this area," MacNeil said.

Bras d'Or Lake dominates the centre of Cape Breton Island.  There are 15 areas in Canada that have been designated as a biosphere reserve under UNESCO. The Bay of Fundy area in New Brunswick was given the designation last year.