Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.

The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port (MPWP) Biosphere Reserve is a part of the world network of biosphere reserves recognised by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) through its Man and the Biosphere Program.

It is one of four biosphere reserves in Victoria, Australia — the other three being national parks — and the only one with a resident population that reaches some 250,000 people during the peak tourist season.

You can support the environmental work of the MPWP Biosphere Reserve Foundation by making a tax-deductible donation to the foundation's public fund.

What's new:

• Annual General Meeting, Sunday 12 October 2008, Koo Wee Rup, 10.30 am for 11.00 am
  
  Featuring the official launch of the publication "Recovery of the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve and surrounding districts: A report on the Public Meeting, 14 November 2006" (PDF 7.5 MB)
  
  
• Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve References, 23 September 2008
  A newly updated collection of over 1500 references related to this biosphere reserve.
• Biosphere certificate of appreciation: Nominations invited by 30 Sep 2008
• The Biosphere Bandicoot newsletter, Edition 3 (PDF 827 KB), 1 September 2008