The CBRN coordinators conducted an online survey in December 2005 to determine what members wanted from the network in terms of its purpose, goals and direction. We had 20 respondents who gave constructive and thoughtful feedback. Below is a summary of the actions that we will be taking based on the survey results.

• Everyone agreed that the purpose of the research network is to provide a network for researchers conducting both research ON (e.g., what is the significance and what are the practical applications of the concept?) and IN (research on a variety of topics that takes place in) biosphere reserves in Canada.

• The network is for anyone interested in biosphere reserve research (members of CBRA, the government, NGOs, and biosphere reserve communities, as well as university faculty and students).  The network will not target youth.

•  As for the purposes of the network, most of those listed in the
  survey can be addressed by the following three initiatives, which we will start
  this year:
     a. Create and host this website
     b. Update the brochure - This will be a downloadable from the website
     c. Compile a bibliography of research ON and IN biosphere reserves (on website)

•  Most of you voted to change the name from Canadian Biosphere Reserve Network of Research and Thinking (CanBRAT) to Canadian Biosphere Reserve Research Network (CBRRN). We are going with Canadian Biosphere Research Network, in the interest of a shorter acronym.

• We will continue using the Yahoo Group for listserv purposes (the name will be changed to reflect the new network name) and for sensitive documents that only members should have access to.  Pictures and other documents will have space on the website.

• We will host a gathering for the network at the CBRA meeting this June and will look forward to organising special sessions at conferences, such as Leading Edge, in future years.