Waterton Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southwestern Alberta, Canada.

Waterton Biosphere Reserve covers 1,037,070 hectares in southwestern Alberta, from the Continental Divide east to the edge of the Canadian Great Plains. Its core is Waterton Lakes National Park, surrounded by buffer and transition zones that take in Pincher Creek and Cardston County. Habitats range from prairie grassland and aspen groves to subalpine forest, alpine tundra, cliffs, lakes and wetlands.

The area was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1979 to protect its varied ecosystems. This recognition made it possible to balance traditional activities like ranching with modern conservation efforts.

The reserve's communities include the Piikani and Kainai Reserves, whose residents take part in ranching, farming and tourism alongside other groups. The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association works with First Nations to build local capacity for conservation and sustainable resource use.

The reserve has multiple hiking trails across different landscape zones, from mountain paths to open grasslands. There are also wildlife viewing points and information centers that explain the various habitats.

The reserve is known for an unusual mix of mountain climate and prairie winds that favor rare plant species. This combination happens because of its location between the Rockies and the plains.