The reserve serves for the protection and breeding of rare species of animals and birds, which are listed in the Red Book of Belarus [be].

[4][5] The idea to create a nature reserve in the area was first voiced by Anatoly Vladimirovich Fedyushin, a scientist and a head of the site investigation committee assigned in 1924 by the State officials.

In 1929, forest inventory work was organized, and in 1935, experimental farms for beaver and elk breeding were established.

[8] During the World War II and the German occupation, the reserve was seriously damaged: all archives, scientific collections and materials were destroyed, service buildings were burnt down.

In 1993, the Council of Europe included it in the network of biogenetic reserves, and in 1995 awarded it with the European Diploma for successful work on the conservation of biodiversity and natural complexes.

[11] As of 2019, the Reserve leads conservation, scientific, environmental education, tourism and commercial activities.

The Reserve has received a certificate of compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and is engaged in logging and timber processing business.

[19] In 1954 the American mink was introduced into the reserve, and in 1956 started the work on acclimatization of the red deer.

[21] Berezinskiy Biosphere Reserve is one of the leading ecotourism centres in Belarus, with more than a third of its income coming from tourism.