CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS

The document introduces the WWF Conservation Champions initiative in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. It highlights the ecological importance of the Cape Floral Kingdom and Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspots and describes how participating farms reduce environmental impact through regenerative practices, water stewardship, and the removal of invasive alien vegetation. The programme currently works with over 55 environmental leaders in the wine and fruit industries to protect critical habitats and ensure long-term sustainability through strategic partnerships.

• The Cape Winelands region contains two global biodiversity hotspots: the Succulent Karoo and the Cape Floral Kingdom. The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest and richest of the world's six floral kingdoms, containing nearly half of South Africa's plant species, though less than 20% of the region is considered "pristine".
• The Succulent Karoo ecoregion extends from southwestern South Africa through northwestern areas into southern Namibia. It hosts over 6,000 plant species, with 40% found nowhere else globally, and contains approximately one-third of the world's 10,000 succulent species. This region is currently threatened by poorly planned grazing, unsustainable agriculture, and mining.
• WWF South Africa supports more than 55 Conservation Champions—leaders in the fruit and wine industries—who commit to conserving natural land and following best practices for energy efficiency and water stewardship. These farms employ regenerative and sustainable methods, such as planting soil-nurturing cover crops and removing water-thirsty invasive alien vegetation to improve water quantity and quality.
• To address shared risks and opportunities associated with a changing climate and rising input costs, the programme forms strategic partnerships with industry associations, governmental institutions, conservancies, and conservation bodies such as CapeNature.

APA

WWF South Africa (2022). CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/conservation_champions_brochure_1.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS. 2022. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/conservation_champions_brochure_1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS |date=2022 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/conservation_champions_brochure_1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafrica2022conservation, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2022}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/conservation_champions_brochure_1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }