Conservation South Africa

OUR VISION

A South Africa where growth and development are catalyzed through the sustainable stewardship of nature

OUR MISSION

Restore and secure key reservoirs of nature across South Africa for the benefit of all

Work with communities, government, and the private sector

Actively engage in the management of Africa’s rangelands and oceans

Promote planet positive economies that support food and climate security, and biodiversity conservation

OUR PRIORITIES

We leverage a set of integrated field demonstrations in key geographies in South Africa and take these to scale through partnerships and policy engagements across the country and the region. We have developed viable and science-based models for protecting and restoring biodiversity-rich landscapes while creating jobs and stabilising the climate. We support planet-positive development models towards achieving lasting conservation results, improved livelihoods and sustained economic growth.

Reimagining Conservation

By 2030 we will work with government and our partner communities to adopt a more compassionate, conscious, inclusive and diverse approach to conservation that prioritises the participation of rural women and youth in all aspects of landscape governance.

Climate positive planning & finance

By 2030 we will encourage the uptake of planet-positive policy frameworks, spatial planning tools and financing mechanisms at the district and national level in South Africa

Jobs for Nature

By 2030 we will support the creation of 30,000 planet-positive work opportunities that support the protection, restoration and management of at least 2 million hectares of high biodiversity rangelands, coastlines and oceans in South Africa

Healthy African Rangelands

By 2030 we will support the replication, scaling and uptake of the Herding for Health approach across 10 million hectares of African Rangelands in at least 6 countries

HOW WE WORK

We work with government, communities and the private sector to implement sustainable landscape management strategies and restore degraded ecosystems, while supporting the creation of green enterprises, green jobs, and green skills. We focus on vulnerable households with an emphasis on rural women, youth and small-scale farmers.

COMMUNITIES

We work with communities, paid and voluntary restoration teams, to carry out rangeland management and restoration on communal land.

TRAINING

We train communities, local government, traditional authorities and small businesses to ensure that effective structures, operational plans and good management of rangelands are adopted – and linked to sustainable economic activities and climate resilience.

INDEPENDENCE

We foster independence by equipping communities, businesses and government with skills and prospects to take independent control of rangeland management.

RESEARCH

Our research deepens our understanding of how our work can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase water security and biodiversity while ensuring people’s livelihoods.

BEST PRACTICE

We apply and replicate best practice from our restoration model using incentives such as market access to stimulate local economies.

LEARNING MATERIALS & OPPORTUNITIES

We develop educational training materials and offer learning opportunities to members of communities, business owners and government to learn about sustainable agriculture, climate change and green economic development in the context of communal rangelands.

DOCUMENT & DISSEMINATE FINDINGS

We develop tools for communities and partners to document work on the ground and impacts are shared in a coordinated way.

GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE POOL

Our documented findings contribute to the global pool of knowledge and strategies for achieving environmental and human resilience through Conservation International.

POLICY

We work with government to influence policy and access funding for sustainable agriculture, climate change and green economic development in communal rangelands.

FUNDING AVENUES

We explore funding streams and capital investments to fund ongoing work.

WHERE WE WORK

We support the improved management of 4 million hectares of communal rangelands through our landscape demonstrations in the Namakwa District, the Alfred Nzo District and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. These sites fall within the globally important Succulent Karoo and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspots. Our technical, policy and fundraising support offices are in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Namakwa

The Namakwa District is an arid region with an average annual rainfall of less than 300 millimeters. On account of the soils and climate, a variety of shrubs, grasses and coastal vegetation grows in the area. The demonstration sites are located in the Succulent Karoo, a global biodiversity hotspot. The sites also contain 70 high priority biodiversity areas covering over a million hectares of semi-arid rangeland. The Namakwa District contains an astonishing 6,356 plant species. Since much of the area is unsuitable for crop farming, people living in the area are greatly dependent on livestock farming (mostly sheep and goats). Communal livestock farming is practiced throughout the region.

Umzimvubu

The Umzimvubu Catchment extends from the Lesotho escarpment to the northern Wild Coast, adjacent to the Indian Ocean. The landscape lies within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot. Four key biodiversity areas fall within the demonstration landscape, forming a large watershed which includes a freshwater ecosystem priority area. Although the Umzimvubu is prized as a near-natural free-flowing river, it is classified as vulnerable because of rapid rates of degradation and the extensive spread of invasive alien wattle species. Communal cattle farming is practiced throughout the region.

Kruger to Canyon

The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere region runs along the western border of the Kruger National Park within the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. CSA works to support the biosphere through implementation of projects in the Mnisi Tribal Authority areas, and by providing support to other demonstration sites across the biosphere. The overall landscape comprises 2.2 million hectares of protected areas and agricultural lands containing savanna woodlands, Afromontane forest and grasslands. The demonstration sites also fall within the northern tip of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot. It is one of the most biodiverse areas for large mammal species within southern Africa. Communal cattle farming is practiced in the region.

OUR IMPACT TO DATE

Herding for Health is a community driven livestock management model for rangeland restoration, biodiversity conservation, and improved livelihoods through herding, capacity building and collective governance. The model, which was piloted at our demonstration sites in South Africa, is now being scaled in 6 African countries, at 16 sites, covering an area of 7 million hectares of native grasslands, savannas and shrublands where people, livestock and wildlife co-exist.

Read the full Impact Report here

Scaling Herding for Health