Living Lands

Living Lands is a South African foundation focusing on the restoration of natural landscapes. The primary role of Living Lands is to 1. Coordinate the PRESENCE (Participatory Restoration of Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital, Eastern Cape) learning network; 2. Manage the Elemental Equity natural capital fund; and 3. Facilitate training and education related to community-based natural resource management.

PRESENCE is a multi-stakeholder network which guides socio-ecological research; supports on-ground implementation (best management practices) and enables capacity building initiatives which engage and empower diverse community groups. It is about restoring ‘living landscapes’ , that is natural areas which exhibit a mosaic of healthy ecosystems, species diversity and human land-uses.

So where exactly are we working? The primary focus is on the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve – a 500,000ha area known for its exceptional natural beauty and its spectacular landscapes. It contains highly diverse flora and fauna. The Reserve is located at the convergence of three global 'biodiversity hotspots': the Cape Floristic Region, the Succulent Karoo and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot. Seven of South Africa’s eight biomes can be found within the Reserve: fynbos, subtropical thicket, nama-karoo, succulent karoo, grassland, savanna and forest.

As a water catchment, the Baviaanskloof also plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods, the regional agricultural sector and meeting growing urban water demand downstream. Rich cultural heritage also exists with the presence of prehistoric and historic artefacts and sites. These diverse values are now formally recognised following the 2004 listing of the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, the catchments in the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve are highly dynamic and fragile, and the constant over-utilisation of land and water resources has resulted in the loss of native vegetation, modified wetland systems and severe encroachment of invasive plant species. The denuded ground and modified river channels together leads to a loss of agricultural productivity, soil and stream bank erosion, reduced water sources (loss of wetlands) and supply, higherwater treatment costs and reduced lifespan of dams. Furthermore, a changing climate is expected to worsen the situation, with more unpredictable rainfall patterns and increased vulnerability to severe weather events. All these trends directly and indirectly contribute to the quality of life for citizens across various geographic scales and social strata.

Living Lands is active with partners in restoring water security and biodiversity. Current activities include invasive species clearing, river stabilisation, re-vegetation of natural areas and community based education, monitoring and awareness programmes.

It is usually very costly to restore the essential services provided by intact natural ecosystems. Landowners, community and local government are unlikely to be able to finance the full cost of restoration (of problems not usually caused by their own actions). This then calls for an innovative approach involving the participation of all stakeholders – local and international – to collaborate and invest in ways to ensure that equitable sharing of costs and benefits preserve long-term wellbeing. The investment may be local but the benefits extent globally.

Living Lands, PRESENCE and Climate Culture are all initiatives of EarthCollective: a network active in catalyzing, supporting and ‘enabling’ creative initiatives that strengthen links between a healthy natural environment and human well-being. Simply said, EarthCollective aims to get positive ideas happening.

Academic Study Opportunities in the Duiwenhoks or Baviaanskloof Catchment Area