International Day for Biosphere Reserves Nov 3, 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

palette

Today in History

An experiment in sustainability
Nov 3, 2023Pacific sea nettles off the coast of Carmel, California, USA
Nov 3, 2025Jellyfish swimming in the Pacific, Guerrero, Mexico

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 19, 2024Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple Complex, Qena, Egypt
Jan 1, 2026Happy New Year!
A different kind of toucan
Feb 22, 2026Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
Aug 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
Sep 28, 2024Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
‘The hills have a power to soothe and heal...’
Oct 1, 2025Maha Navami
May 18, 2025International Museum Day
Sep 6, 2025Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States
A remote oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
Jul 23, 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Aug 20, 2025The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
Jan 12, 2024Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
Jewel of the Adriatic
Postcard from Italy
Pearl among the emeralds
Jul 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day
May 1, 2024Maharashtra Day
Feb 8, 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Aug 18, 2024Huntington Beach Pier, California, USA
A beach of many colours
Jan 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia
Oct 24, 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, United States
Aug 15, 2025Independence Day
Stretching out in the Everglades
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Jun 28, 2025Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
A day for cousins of every stripe
Mar 31, 2024Happy Easter!