Ecology Partners Gouritz – Cluster Biopshere Reserve

Registered as a non-profit company, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve organization (GCBR) is a citizens’ initiative dedicated to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity, tied to socioeconomic development for the wellbeing of its peoples. UNESCO has designated the region as a place of major biodiversity significance for the planet.

Priority Practical Efforts

Practical work for the domain is already underway, focusing on three priority areas:

1. 1. Flagship initiatives which (at scale): Restore degraded landscapes while creating employment; Convert alien biomass into economically viable products;
   2. A suite of smaller scale (peri-)urban and rural projects to catalyze ecologically sustainable livelihoods, for example: Stimulate employment opportunities through development of tourism related to our scenic beauty and unique biodiversity; Promote enterprises that contribute to ecological and socio-economic gains;
   3. Knowledge generation and communication about innovations and practices that have a positive impact on the domain’s ecology and all its populations. Examples may include:
      Environmental education involving schools and youth; Collaboration with (inter-)national research initiatives; Testing new models of financing restoration at scale on privately owned degraded land.

Check the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) website.

Find out more about GCBR’s programme Building resilience in the GCBR.