The first R10 million of a R40 million ($6.5 million) grant obtained from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) to help conserve the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot has been allocated.
The Hotspot covers 275,000 square kilometres, and stretches from Xai-Xai in Mozambique to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. It is crucial as the meeting place of six biomes (complex biotic communities characterized by distinctive plant and animal species) and three centres of plant species endemism, which gives the Hotspot very high biodiversity value. However the area is under extreme pressure from mining, uncontrolled grazing, unsustainable urban and rural development and its unique biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate.
Founded in 2000, the CEPF, a unique partnership of six international donor agencies, is a global leader in enabling civil society to participate in and benefit from conserving global biodiversity Hotspots. Wildlands represents the CEPF in the Hotspot as Regional Implementation Team, as such, Wildlands works closely with the CEPF Secretariat to solicit and award grants to civil society organisations in the Hotspot. According to Dr Roelie Kloppers, Wildlands’ Regional Leader for the CEPF investment, these grants are designed to build local capacity to address current environmental challenges such as climate change, landscape transformation and the loss of biodiversity. A strong network of civil society organisations will support national and international efforts in this region to promote ecosystem health, which is also critical to ensure human well-being through the delivery of ecosystem services such as water and clean air to society.
Since the initial $6m grant was made in Sept 2010, CEPF has processed some 88 applications, awarded 11 grants and is in the process of awarding another 16.
Grant recipients (to date) are:
Says Kloppers, the Trust is very pleased with the progress being made, and expects visible results by the end of 2011. “The next round of large grants will be awarded towards the end of 2011, while small grants are awarded whenever worthwhile projects are identified.”
For more information contact Dr Roelie Kloppers on 033 343 6380 or e-mail roeliek@localhost/import-data-post.
Photograph Credits:
1.) Karkloof Water Fall by Kelvin Trautman
2.) Flower by Kelvin Trautman
3.) Aloe By Maryann Rivers-Moore
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)