Big Bend Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1976, in United States of America. Big Bend Biosphere Reserve lies in the eponymous big bend of the Rio Grande in western Texas, United States of America. It is one of three biosphere reserves in the Chihuahuan Desert, alongside Jornada (United States) and Mapimí (Mexico). The landscape is marked by the Chisos Mountains rising above the desert and three deep canyons carved by the Rio Grande. The biosphere reserve’s objectives focus on deepening ties with surrounding communities to advance the site’s core functions. Through outreach, distance-learning and on-site collaboration, the reserve works to bridge geographic isolation and become a familiar local partner. Education and communication programmes support co-designed conservation, sustainable livelihoods and shared research and monitoring.