The KZN Midlands is home to 50 pairs of the less than 260 Wattled Cranes left in South Africa and home to 12 active Conservancies. There can be little doubt then that this area is a hot spot of biodiversity.
South Africa ranks as the 3rd most biologically diverse country in the world. However, 34% of terrestrial ecosystems fall within the vulnerable and critically endangered categories. A decrease in ecosystems’ biodiversity is cause for considerable concern because it leads to a reduction in ecosystem services, such as a reduced capacity to generate clean water. The KZN Midlands is an important water catchment area, has forests which are home to the rare Cape Parrot, some of the last moist mist-belt grasslands (which are an important carbon sink), and includes habitats of many endangered species. The very first conservancy established in SA was in Balgowan in 1978 and since then the area has become renowned for commitment to stewardship of natural resources.
The Midlands Conservancies Forum (MCF) began in 2009 to share ideas, knowledge and discuss common challenges. Working together will support those who are facing daunting tasks and offer advice to the newer conservancies, too. Learning from one another is a vital component of the new forum, as everyone has different experiences to share.
The group meets quarterly and offers an opportunity to conservation organisations or environmental service providers to make presentations to representatives from a range of Conservancies at one occasion.
Should you be interested in making use of this opportunity to spread your environmental message, please contact us to book a slot.
Earlier this year, the MCF steering committee submitted a proposal to support a Biodiversity Stewardship Project (MCF-BSP) to the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF)/Wildlands Conservation Trust selection panel. The CEPF is designed to safeguard the world's threatened biodiversity hotspots in developing countries. It is a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation, the World Bank and the French Development Agency. A fundamental purpose of the CEPF is to ensure that civil society is actively participating in conserving biodiversity in the hotspots. The Wildlands Conservation Trust is the regional implementing team for the CEPF investment. Wildlands is responsible for soliciting, designing and awarding grants to civil society organisations and community groups that will protect biodiversity and strengthen the role of civil society in conservation.
The aim of the MCF-BSP is to facilitate and coordinate the activities of a coalition of KZN Midlands conservancies, focussing on biodiversity conservation, which will ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the area. Gareth Boothway, the project manager (076 239 4267, biodiversity@midlandsconservancies.org.za) is relishing the task ensuring that the four areas (Dargle, Karkloof, Fort Nottingham and Umgenyane) which are currently in the process of having land proclaimed under the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, are officially conserved for biodiversity. Thereafter, he will work on expanding the existing area, adding new areas and creating Biodiversity Corridors.
“Who would have thought that in less than a year the MCF would have gained such momentum and support? The future of biodiversity conservation is in the hands of the landowner and this project is an opportunity for the MCF to establish itself as a player in the community conservation arena, possibly rewriting the role that conservancies will play in how civil society engages with government on the issues of land use, environmental and biodiversity conservation.”
Chair of the Steering Committee, Andrew Anderson
The website is under development - for more information on this project please contact us at biodiversity@midlandsconservancies.org.za