SANBI’s Fynbos Programme, which hosts the CAPE partnership held the 2011 CAPE Partners Conference themed ‘Conservation and Agriculture: A Common Agenda’, at Elsenberg Agricultural Training College on 23 and 24 June 2011.
Interface between Biodiversity Conservation and Agriculture
The Conference, co-hosted by SANBI, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the GreenChoice Alliance through WWF – SA focused on the interface between Biodiversity Conservation and Agriculture. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the collaborative interventions and activities undertaken during the first phase of the CAPE Programme. In addition, the Conference also aimed to build a joint programme of work going forward, supported by a range of role-players in agriculture and conservation.
Government supports joint venture
To show the support for this joint venture, both the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, and Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Mr Anton Bredell, as well as the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Gerrit van Rensburg attended the Fynbos Conservation Awards evening. Also in attendance were Heads of Department for Agriculture and DEA&DP in the Western Cape as well as the Director General in the office of the Premier.
Carmel Mbizo, Deputy Director General at SANBI said, “It is encouraging to see our Departments working together, showing leadership in guiding our communities to manage land in a way that protects the natural resource base, while delivering economic opportunities and promoting development across South Africa.
Conference well attended
More than 200 people from the conservation, agriculture, farming, learning and other government institutions attended the two day conference, which was abuzz with presentations from both the environmental and agriculture sector on various themes such as developing a shared vision for production landscapes in the fynbos region, the value of natural capital, the shift towards more sustainable farming practices and natural solutions – adapting to climate change presented during the first day. Each session was followed by an interactive Q&A session. The second day looked at the diversification of rural livelihoods, and governance and partnerships for resource mobilisation.
This year’s conference is important to the CAPE partnership as it created the platform for joint collaboration between the conservation and agriculture sector, deepening the work of SANBI’s Fynbos Programme towards conserving and restoring the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region.
Rationale of the CAPE partnership
The rationale of the CAPE partnership is to create linkages between government, the private sector and civil society so that we all work together with a common strategy, avoiding duplication, addressing gaps and uniting to leverage resources and to tackle agreed common priorities in terms of a shared vision.
Ms Joyene Isaacs, Head of Department of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, started the two day Conference by welcoming those in attendance. As part of her opening statement, Isaacs said that “this is a marriage that has been in process for a while and this is our first step to publicly declare that conservation and agriculture can, will and should work together. This partnership is the custodian of the region’s natural resources and together we need to make sure there is enough for future generations to enjoy”.
Lesedi Cultural Village, Elephant Sanctuary, Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Bungee Mogale, Hartbeespoort Snake and Animal Park, Hartbeespoort Dam, Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre, Chameleon Village, Tangaroa Strawberry Farm, African Island Beach Resort, Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij, Tan Malie se Winkel, Monate Sitruskelder, Bill Harrop's Balloon Safaris, Eagle's Nest Cableway, De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre, Maropeng, Sterkfontein Caves, Floating Restaurant, Miracle Waters Diving, Wonder Cave, Magalies River Barbus Haven, Old Kromdraai Gold Mine, Honeydew A-maize-ing Mazes, Ngonyama Lion Lodge, Montecasino Bird Gardens, Wild Cave Adventures, In The Gorge Adventures, Skywalk School of Paragliding, Gold Reef City, Crocodile River Rafting, Magalies Gliding Club, Fly Fishing, Atteridgeville Township Tourism, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, Old Mutual Om Die Dam Marathon, Hartbeespoortdam Aquarium, Charles Gotthard Goblins Cove, Welwitschia Country Market, Pretoria Botanical Garden, Fort West Heritage Vilage, Shades of Ngwenya Glass, Pecanwood Estate Golf, Magalies Park Country Club, Ludwig's Roses Egoli, Lion Park, Anro Flower Farm, Atteridgeville Jewellery Project, Croc City Crocodile Farm, Epic Skydiving, Lanseria Airport,
No comments:
Post a Comment