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DEDICATED TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT THROUGH CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH INTO OUR REGION’S BIODIVERSITY

Environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the region. Wise use of natural and human resources.

Invitation to Strategic Planning Workshops 2020

We are currently organising and hosting a series of Strategic Planning workshops for 2020, which all interested parties are welcome to attend. The initial focuses will be on town and land-use planning, landscape coordination, and youth and education.

Stay tuned for further announcements or email: admin@gardenroutebiosphere.org.za for more information.

DETAILS

WHAT DOES THIS BIOSPHERE DO FOR THE GARDEN ROUTE?

Biosphere Reserves represent a unique approach to land and biodiversity management. They aim to fulfil three interconnected functions:

Conservation

Contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation. Offer a solution for collaborative landscape management and decision-making and integrate culture and biological diversity.

Development

Foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable. Take a multi-stakeholder approach to solution development and foster dialogue for conflict resolution of sustainable natural resource utilization.

Research

Support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development. Provide sites of excellence for education, training and research.

LATEST NEWS

THE AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS

The UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are a set of 20 global targets under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 to 2020. They are grouped under five strategic goals:

  1. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
  2. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use;
  3. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
  4. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
  5. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building
LEARN MORE

THE LIMA ACTION PLAN

The Lima Action Plan for UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2016-2025) contains a comprehensive set of actions aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the MAB Strategy 2015- 2025. The MAB Programme will harness lessons learned through sustainability science and education and use modern, open and transparent ways to communicate and share information. The Lima Action Plan (2016 – 2025), followed by Biosphere Reserve’s is structured according to the following 3 strategic action areas:

  1. To enhance the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, maintain ecosystem services and foster the sustainable and equitable use of natural resources.
  2. To explore, develop, support, and study thriving sustainable societies, economies, and human settlements respecting the web of life on which they depend.
  3. To promote the understanding of the impact of environmental changes, including climate change, and develop and support mitigation and adaptation actions.
LEARN MORE

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

The 2020 Strategic Planning process is now underway

Upcoming workshops: Friday 14th February (George); Friday 3rd April (Knysna); and Friday 15th May (Jefferey’s Bay).

Contact: admin@gardenroutebiosphere.org.za or stayed tuned to this website for further announcements.

APPLY NOW

The Garden Route Biosphere Reserve is located within the Cape Floristic Region along the southern coast of South Africa.

The area includes the Tsitsikamma, Goukamma and Robberg Marine Protected Areas, Wilderness Lakes RAMSAR site, Garden Route National Park, the Nelson Bay Cave, the Langkloof Valley and St. Francis and Jeffreys Bays. The Garden Route National Park, primary core area of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, also forms part of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site.

OUR PARTNERS

 
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RESOURCES

Articles and videos to help you learn more about what we do.

ARTICLES RESARCH LIBRARY

BECOME INVOLVED

Attend events advertised by the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve and those of other organisations active in our community. We will announce more opportunities for engagement in 2020.

We are still actively building a multi-disciplinary team of qualified professionals and committed volunteers to ensure that our regional efforts toward Biosphere conservation, sustainable development and community engagement are robust and effective. If you have the time, expertise or enthusiasm to become involved in some way, please register your interest below:

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

STAY INFORMED

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news and announcements forthcoming in 2020.