International Day for Biosphere Reserves 3 Nov 2024

Today is the International Day for Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere reserves may sound like a scientific mouthful, but they"re essentially nature"s sweet spots—places where biodiversity, or variety of life on Earth, thrives. These areas, recognised by UNESCO, keep ecosystems healthy, protect endangered species and help regulate climate through forests, wetlands and other crucial habitats. There are 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries. From the lush greenery of Sundarbans in India to the vast expanses of the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve in Australia, each reserve is unique.

© Claudio Contreras/Minden Pictures

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Today in History

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29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China
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17 Feb 2024Jorvik Viking Festival
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29 Apr 2026Belém Tower, Lisbon, Portugal
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20 Apr 2026Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah, United States
Charming Turenne
14 May 2025Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
13 May 2026Arch and Milky Way, Alabama Hills, California, United States
All going swimmingly
29 Aug 2026Notting Hill Carnival
28 Apr 2026Spectacled bear resting in tree, Ecuador
18 Mar 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
1 Oct 2024Black History Month
22 Dec 2025The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Ankara
26 Feb 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland