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.