A new era for natural heritage in South Africa

1
A new era for natural heritage in South Africa

• M Botha, T Brinkcate, Y Friedmann

2
Origin

• Landowner incentives
• Cohesion to NGO efforts
• Support for Provincial actions/projects
• Vision
• Network of partners to encourage local
  stewardship of biodiversity

3
Opportunities for DEAT

• Mechanism to implement NBSAP
• Life to PA and Biodiversity Acts
• Std criteria for biodiversity management
• Clarify relationship to cons agencies
• Leverage increased investment from landowners

4
Meeting needs

• Target audience
• DEAT Old Natural Heritage Sites
• Provinces SOCS
• Stewardship, Prot Area initiatives
• NGOs
• Important Bird Areas
• Crane custodians, Blue Swallow sites
• Custodians of Rare, Endangered Wildflowers
• Wetlands

5
Choose a programme response

• Set of standards for cohesive approach?
• or
• Decentralised regional flavour?
• or
• Stronger central intervention?

6
Proposal

• A new heritage site programme
• Not duplicating,
• Provide a framework
• Implemented by NGO Province partners
• National buy-in, support, co-ordination

7
Operation

• assessment
• Regional committees?
• suitable person, organisation
• Expertise, sign-off
• Extension staff

• Site review
• Appropriate response
• Site Agreement
• Management plan
• Biennial audit

8
Structure
Extension support
Biodiversity value
Incentives
Site security
9
Notional incentives
10
Legal Context
11
Institutional options
Mintech WG1 Biannual report

Board of directors DEAT, SANBI, NGOs

• National route
• Assessment committee
• Delegates to local agency

• Regional route
• Province/bioregional committees
• Agency reps decide