The USBN Steering Committee and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo as the Coordinator for the US Biosphere Network (USBN). Dr. Cerialo, an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the Business and Hospitality Department at Paul Smith’s College, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this important role as the USBN enters its next phase of growth.
In her role as USBN Coordinator, Dr. Cerialo will collaborate with and support the USBN Steering Committee to identify, create, and implement strategic plans to achieve the mission of the USBN – to foster national and international connections among Biosphere Regions, facilitate sharing of best practices, and support their work to connect people to nature.
Dr. Cerialo has been actively involved in various capacities within the USBN and World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2015. As the Co-chair of the UNESCO Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network, she has played a pivotal role in promoting bioregional collaborations and conservation efforts in the New York and Vermont region. Additionally, Dr. Cerialo has represented CABN on the USBN Biosphere Working Group since 2019 and assisted with establishing the US Biosphere Youth Board and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Youth Board.
Dr. Cerialo’s dedication to fostering international collaboration in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves is evident through her coordination of student research exchanges focused on sustainable tourism and community development in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Europe and Africa. In 2014, she co-founded the Adirondack to Appeninno Sustainable Parks and Communities Project, an innovative sustainable development project that focuses on the implementation of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve (Italy) and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network in collaboration with students and faculty from Paul Smith’s College.
Dr. Cerialo developed a Joint Declaration of Environmental Ethics for Mountain Biosphere Reserves in collaboration with the Ledro Alps and Judicaria Biosphere Reserve (Italy), Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve, and Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere, and assisted with the establishment of a Twinning Agreement with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network in Canada and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere. She has conducted research on the social impacts of tourism in the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve and Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserves in South Africa. Dr. Cerialo has served as a delegate at several international UNESCO conferences including EuroMAB and is an active member of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves.
Dr. Cerialo is highly qualified to assist the USBN in achieving its goals. We extend our warmest welcome to Dr. Kelly Cerialo and look forward to witnessing the positive impact she will make in her new role as Coordinator for the US Biosphere Network.
“Biosphere Regions are invaluable tools for protecting the world’s biological and cultural diversity. They provide a platform for research, education, and action to help people understand, protect, and sustain our common natural heritage. I’m honored to be appointed to this position and I’m grateful to be working with a national and international network of innovative professionals who are committed to improving human connection to nature.”
– Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo, USBN Coordinator
