f the 324 biosphere reserves that exist in 82 countries around the world, Grandfather Mountain is the only one on privately owned land.

"We hope Grandfather Mountain won't be the last privately owned biosphere reserve, but we're very proud to be the first," says mountain owner Hugh Morton.

The mountain received the designation in November, 1992, sometime after Morton hired Dr. Robert Bruck, an NC State University plant pathologist who has made a name for himself researching the spruce/fir tree dieback on Grandfather, Mt. Mitchell and other Southern Appalachian peaks, to fill out the lengthy and detailed application.

What exactly is a biosphere reserve? It's "a habitat so important to the biodiversity of the planet that the world community recognizes it, and in so doing, says 'thank you' for protecting it even while using it," says Dr. Frank Talbot, former chairman of the U.S. Man and Biosphere Committee.

The United Nations created the biosphere reserve program in 1971 to provide a framework for global cooperation in finding solutions to environmental problems like air and water pollution, biodiversity and sustainable economic growth.

In order to receive the biosphere reserve designation, a property must be a unique biological resource representative of a larger region, and a resource that is permanently protected from unrestricted development. It must have a history of scientific study; be actively engaged in ecological research and monitoring; be involved in education and training of resource management professionals; and provide educational exhibits for the general public.

Those characteristics fit both Grandfather Mountain and nearby Mt. Mitchell State Park, which received similar designation in May 1993.

--EH