Knowledge mobilization, wildfire risk, and sustainable tourism in UNESCO biosphere reserves

Wildfires significantly affect nature‑based tourism (NBT) by reducing park visits, degrading visitor experiences, harming regional economies, and increasing public health and safety costs for emergency response. This paper examines these impacts, with a focus on future climate change risks, through a mixed methods case study on the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve in the province of Ontario, Canada. The study uses statistical analysis of survey data and thematic coding of interviews with key informants to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in knowledge mobilization (KMb) for wildfire risk management. Key findings include strengths such as transparent communication and integration of natural science in decision‑making, but also weaknesses like limited collaboration with Indigenous communities and a clear lack of understanding of the role of social science in risk management. Additionally, the study highlights the need for greater public health sector involvement and more financial resources to support risk preparedness and response. The paper demonstrates the interconnectedness of knowledge management, risk management, and tourism geographies. It concludes by detailing the ways in which the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve model can be used to better understand the spatial and informational dimensions of risk management and tourism, as well as facilitate collaborations across scales, sectors, and disciplines.