Protection, restoration and sustainable use of this unique vegetation can help develop a sustainable economy to replace the down-scaled mining and fishing industries.
Gondwana Alive supports several projects in biodiversity hotspots on the West Coast and along the Homo Sapien Corridor – a unique heritage corridor running around the coast from Langebaan to Port Elizabeth.
Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve
The Cape West Coast of South Africa falls within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site – recognized for its outstanding universal significance to humanity. Unfortunately, poverty and unemployment levels are also extremely high in this rural area, and its’ unique natural and cultural heritage are under threat from unsustainable development. There is a real need to promote conservation and sustainable development in this region. This is the purpose of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (www.capebiosphere.co.za).
Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Trails
!Khwa ttu
!Khwa ttu Trails
The !Khwa ttu Trails offer a wonderful way for families to stay healthy, connect with nature, feel a whole lot better, experience the West Coast of South Africa and enjoy friendly San hospitality and culture.
RIM of Africa
BRC Land Livestock Adaptation
Climate change projections have indicated that the Namakwa District, in the Northern Cape, will be subject to increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, more specifically droughts, seasonal shifts and storm-related disaster events. The area has already seen a 2 degrees Celsius increase in mean temperatures over the past 50 years, and it is predicted that it will become hotter and drier. Warming, and the associated increase in the number of extremely warm days, is set to impact evaporation rates and water availability. This is a concern as water is already scarce in Namakwa.