Biodiversity Conference & Action Day

Baviaanskloof (SA): The International Day of Biodiversity will be celebrated this weekend on 21st-22nd May. The conference and workshops are aimed at landowners, agricultural producers and tourism operators located within the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve Planning Domain. The event is being facilitated by Eastern Cape Parks and Living Lands, funded through C.A.P.E and the German Government, and being held at TerraPi in the Kouga catchment. The sessions are aimed at all members of the family.

The 21st May will provide a fun environmental education programme for 120 children from four local schools. TerraPi with partners has organized an exciting day which provides environmental learning opportunities themed around the elements of earth, water, wind and fire.
The 22nd May focuses on landowners and communities as key stakeholders of the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve a conference sessions on current biodiversity-related issues and activities (e.g. landowner stewardship) as well as parallel workshops on eco-tourism, permaculture and propagation. There will also be a third session giving children of families in attendance to experience the beautiful outdoors with a variety of fun learning activities. Outdoor markets and information stalls will be scattered across the area.
Staff and students from Living Lands will be closely involved with activities: from assisting with youth environmental education to delivering presentations and facilitating market stalls.

The Living Lands stall will showcase developments at the PRESENCE Learning Village as well as short overview of PRESENCE activities such as the Water for Food & Ecosystems project and recent reserach / implementation outcomes. there will also be a large map of the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve available for land-owners to pinpoint the benefits/challenges presented by biodiveristy in the area.

Living Lands will also present and launch the Elemental Equity Fund during the counference.

It is hoped the event will be a prime opportunity for diverse stakeholders and interested residents in and around the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve to engage with new ideas and activities for sustainably managing the land, its biodiversity and its people.

Venue: TerraPi (Langkloof, off R62)
Date: 22 May 2010
Time: 10:00am
Contact: Colwyn Loggenberg / colwyn.loggenberg@ecparks.co.za