How we built bridges with butterflies. How we built bridges with butterflies.
Impossible you might think, but not when you bring the right global organisations together. Irina Bokova is the Director- General of UNESCO, who met with the Star Alliance network representatives in 2001 to create the Biosphere Connections partnership. This environmental initiative linked UNESCO’s network of biosphere reserves with the International Union Impossible you might think,and butthe notRamsar when you bring for Conservation of Nature Convention theWetlands right global organisations together. Irina Bokova on to conserve some of the world’s most is the DirectorGeneral who met with unique locations. Being of theUNESCO, largest airline network, the Star Alliance representatives in 2001 to Star Alliance wasnetwork the natural partner for this initiative create the Biosphere Connections partnership. as its members were able to donate flights to This environmental initiative UNESCO’s network scientists, field workers and linked educators involved in of biosphere reserves with the International Union projects all over the world. for Conservation of Nature and the Ramsar Convention TheWetlands Amani Nature Reserve in Tanzania, where most the on to conserve some of the world’s Amani Butterfly project created, was one such unique locations. Being was the largest airline network, project. This small scheme encouraged people Star Alliance was the natural partner forlocal this initiative to breed butterflies for exhibition around the world, as its members were able to donate flights to helping them toworkers earn an and income from the forest in scientists, field educators involved far beyond without exploiting its projects all their over expectations, the world. resources. It’s amazing how a few small butterflies The Nature Reserve in Tanzania, haveAmani managed to build bridges betweenwhere local the Amani was created, was one such people Butterfly and theirproject environment. project. This small scheme encouraged local people Watch this story andfor four others that were to breed butterflies exhibition around the world, made inthem partnership National Geographic helping to earn with an income from the forest at staralliance.com far beyond their expectations, without exploiting its resources. It’s amazing how a few small butterflies have managedgreat to build bridges between local Another example people and their environment.
of global collaboration.
Watch this story and four others that were made in partnership with National Geographic at staralliance.com
Another great example of global collaboration.