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
Our rangelands restoration model piloted in collaboration with the Mnisi Tribal Authority in the Kruger to Canyons demonstration site is being rolled out on 7 million hectares across Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia where people, livestock and wildlife share the same lands.
Read the full Impact Report here
HEALTHY RANGELANDS AMPLIFIED ACROSS AFRICA
Registered name: Khuselíndalo South Africa NPC t/a Conservation South Africa
COMPANY REGISTRATION NO: 2010/000 325/08 | PBO NO: 930 033 503