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National Biodiversity Stewardship Conference 2018

The 2nd National Biodiversity Stewardship Conference brought together over 100 delegates representing national, provincial and local government departments, community beneficiaries, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions to engage, to learn, to share their success stories and their challenges. The conference provided a platform for identifying emerging opportunities that can help to address the social and economic challenges of the country; and aims to enhance the implementation of biodiversity stewardship, unlocking its contribution to the country’s development agenda and promoting sustainable land use. Conservation, development and academic experts were convened to deliberate on mechanisms to bring about tangible benefits and secure financial solutions to the stewards of biodiversity.

Under the theme, ‘Sustainable land use for our shared future’, and in collaboration with various partners, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) co-hosted this conference from 9 to 11 October 2018 at the Maropeng Boutique Hotel, near the Sterkfontein Caves.

The purpose of the conference:

  • To convene the National Biodiversity Stewardship community of practice
  • To explore opportunities between Biodiversity Stewardship and the Biodiversity Economy
  • To provide a platform for engagement on Biodiversity Stewardship, Land Reform and Community Conservation
  • To provide a platform to foster commitment to implementing the Land Reform and Biodiversity Stewardship Initiative
  • To build partnerships to support protected area expansion through Biodiversity Stewardship
  • To provide a platform to build commitment towards financial sustainability of protected area expansion
  • To investigate opportunities for the implementation of Biodiversity Stewardship in land reform sites in the Gauteng Province (and the country at large)

Presentations and resources shared over the three days can be accessed in the table below:

PRESENTER ORGANISATION PRESENTATION
Pam Kershaw DEA Biodiversity Stewardship contribution to Protected Area expansion targets
Thabang Nyalo GDARD Linkages between rural development, land reform and Biodiversity Stewardship in Gauteng
Luthando Dziba SANParks Message from SANParks
Xola Mkefe DEA Biodiversity Stewardship: Implementing the Wildlife Economy
Simon Mafela Tshivhula CPA Tshivhula CPA
Roland Vorwerk DEA Biodiversity Economy and Biodiversity Stewardship: Exploring collaboration opportunities
Jacob Msibi Mgundeni Traditional Council Mgundeni Community
Caiphus Khumalo DEA People and Parks opportunities for collaboration
Custan Malima GDARD Gauteng People and Parks
Christina Seegers and Emily Taylor GDARD and EWT Gauteng Biodiversity Stewardship Programme
Greg Martindale Conservation Outcomes Biodiversity Stewardship on Land Reform Sites
Nicky McLeod Environmental Rural Solutions Watershed Stewardship
Corle Jansen Conservation South Africa Community Stewardship
Magezi Mhlanga DRDLR Land Reform and Biodiversity Stewardship
Daniel Marnewick BirdLife South Africa Enhancing Biodiversity Stewardship in South Africa
Alex Marsh SANBI Resolutions and Resolve
Greg Martindale Conservation Outcomes SANParks Park Expansion: Greater Kruger Processes
Greg Martindale Conservation Outcomes Endowment Fund for Biodiversity Stewardship in KZN
Flora Mokgohloa DEA Biodiversity Finance Initiative: Unlocking Opportunities for Biodiversity Stewardship Implementation
Steve Collins African Safari Foundation Community Empowering Biodiversity Stewardship?
Biodiversity Stewardship Achievements SANBI Biodiversity Stewardship achievement infographic 2017