Jean-Philippe (JP) Messier

Executive Director at Réserve Mondiale de la Biosphère Manicouagan-Uapishka

Jean-Philippe (JP) Messier is the founder and current Executive Director of RMBMU, the organization that has successfully got the Manicouagan-Uapishka region, located in Quebec, to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2007. RMBMU is known to have implemented over a hundred sustainable development projects closely with First Nations, private sector, governments, academia, NGOs, etc. More recently, his organization co-founded the Uapishka research Station in association with Pessamit Innu Community, a unique partnership to foster science, traditional knowledge and first nation’s capacity building along with contemporary land use. JP is regularly requested internationally to represent UNESCO’s programs, his region or his country. His government awarded him for achievements that have been recognized beyond the borders of Québec (Alphonse et Dorimène Desjardins Award, given to only one individual every 2 years). Apart from at work, you might find him travelling with his family, up north in a canoe or diving in the St-Lawrence river!