Search Climate Insights Directory

The document details the control of four invasive Hakea species in South Africa: H. sericea, H. gibbosa, H. drupacea, and H. salicifolia. It advocates for an integrated approach combining mechanical, chemical, and biological controls, with a heavy emphasis on biological agents to manage inaccessible mountain terrains. It provides specific biological profiles and application guidelines for six agents: the gummosis fungus (Colletotrichum acutatum), seed weevil (Erytenna consputa), seed moth (Carposina autologa), stem-boring beetle (Aphanasium australe), flowerbud weevil (Dicomada rufa), and leaf beetle (Cydmaea binotata).

The document details the management of four invasive hakea species in South Africa, primarily silky hakea, rock hakea, sweet hakea, and willow hakea. It advocates for an integrated control strategy combining mechanical, chemical, and biological methods, with a heavy emphasis on the use of specific biological control agents—including fungi and insects—to reduce seed production and population density, especially in inaccessible mountainous terrain.

The Sustainable Landscape Finance Coalition's BMA Tax Incentive Incubator investigated the legal and practical requirements to implement a long-unused tax incentive under the Income Tax Act and NEMBA. The investigation concluded that all necessary 'building blocks' are present, leading to a pilot project (July 2021 – June 2022) focusing on rhino and lion conservation. The project aims to test the incentive with voluntary landowners to offset conservation management costs, with estimated economic benefits growing from R1.4 million per annum in 2022 to R3.7 million by 2040.

The Khetha program addresses illegal wildlife trafficking in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) through a multi-sectoral approach involving community engagement, law enforcement support, and cross-border collaboration. Funded by USAID and implemented by WWF South Africa and WWF Mozambique between 2018 and 2022, the program aims to maintain positive growth rates for elephants and increase growth rates for black and white rhinos. It focuses on mitigating the socio-economic drivers of poaching—such as poverty and historical forced relocations—by improving community livelihoods and governance. Additionally, it provides technical training and infrastructure to the judiciary and law enforcement in Mozambique and South Africa to enhance the detection and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

The document outlines a customised course designed to equip individuals with the conceptual and practical tools necessary to develop effective mentoring activities in the environmental sector. It employs a systemic approach, treating mentoring as an activity system influenced by organisational culture, national policies, and individual dynamics. The course is structured into three modules: a systems analysis of mentoring, an exploration of mentoring theories (developmental, learning, and social/economic), and a toolkit for practical implementation. Key components include a pre-course assignment, a multi-day workshop, and an action research project where learners implement and evaluate a mentoring plan in a real-world workplace. The guide emphasizes the need for transformational competencies to create enabling environments for learning and professional growth in biodiversity and conservation.

The 'Wear it Wild' guide encourages youth groups (ages 5–14) to engage in animal-themed activities, such as creating costumes and masks from recycled materials, to raise funds for the protection of species like tigers and rhinos. It suggests events including open evenings, face-painting, treasure hunts, and 'safaris' involving bake sales or sponsored walks, while emphasizing the use of fake fur and recycled clothing.

The WWF-Sappi partnership, established in 2021, focuses on strengthening water governance and biodiversity conservation in the Umkhomazi catchment. Key initiatives include the creation of the Umkhomazi Catchment Working Group, the clearing of 188 hectares of invasive alien vegetation to replenish 205.2 megalitres of water, and the implementation of sustainable rangeland management across 2,323 hectares. The project aims to secure 30,000 hectares of key biodiversity land, particularly within the Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area, while providing employment and environmental education to local communities.

The document specifies the requirements for wine farms to achieve WWF Conservation Champion status, including an IPW audit score of at least 70%, a completed carbon footprint baseline, and a signed environmental management plan. Benefits of the program include the use of the 'sugarbird and protea' label, access to funding for conservation initiatives, and technical support from WWF South Africa.

The fact sheet highlights the critical role of natural springs in the upper Umzimvubu catchment of the Eastern Cape, where they serve as a vital safety net for approximately 1.2 million people. It advocates for a community-driven spring protection model to mitigate water scarcity, health risks, and climate impacts. The document details a specific initiative in Matatiele that used a hydro-census to identify 330 springs, leading to the protection of 18 sites and the eventual completion of 45 springs, providing safe drinking water to approximately 40,000 rural dwellers.