US Biosphere Network (USBN) consists of 28 internationally recognized places across the continental US, the Caribbean, Alaska, & Hawai’i called biosphere regions. Biosphere regions are learning places for sustainable development, where interdisciplinary approaches are developed to understand and manage changes and interactions between social & ecological systems, including climate change and biodiversity management. Directly aligned with TSN, the USBN connects, equips, and mobilizes people and organizations to care for the land and water where they live. Through our international network of 748 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves we exchange knowledge, research, and resources to address the world’s most pressing sustainable development issues including biodiversity loss, climate change, and community and organizational capacity. This presentation highlights USBN’s key projects & priorities, and identifies opportunities for our two networks to work together to improve human connection to nature.
Monday, January 29th, 2024
3:40 pm - 4:40 pm
Presenters
Jon W. AllanUS Biosphere Network
Jon W. Allan joined the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan in 2019 after he retired as the Director of the Office of the Great Lakes. His work focuses on the enterprise of sustainability related to the intersection of ecological, economic, social and cultural value. He is currently the U.S. Co-chair of the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Water Quality Board, is a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Science Advisory Board, chairs the US Biosphere Network’s steering committee, chairs MSU’s Institute for Water Research Advisory Board, is on the Board of Governors at Cranbrook Institute of Science, is on the board of Audubon Great Lakes, and advises other projects and organizations. Jon is also the President and Founder of the Jon W. Allan Group, a private consultancy specializing in strategic insight for freshwater and the Great Lakes, energy and environmental policy and natural resource governance. 
Kelly Cerialo
US Biosphere Network
Kelly CerialoUS Biosphere Network
Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the Business and Hospitality Department at Paul Smith’s College. She is the Coordinator for the US Biosphere Network and co-chair of the UNESCO Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve (New York/Vermont). She has over 10 years of experience working with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves including organizing international student research exchanges with a focus on sustainable tourism and community development in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Europe and Africa. She is the co-founder of the Adirondack to Appeninno Sustainable Parks and Communities Project – an international sustainable tourism initiative between the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve in Italy and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve. Dr. Cerialo's research focuses on the social impacts of tourism in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, biosphere governance and leadership, and youth leadership mentoring to support sustainable communities.
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