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Dear Grasslands stakeholders
Warm greetings from the Grasslands Coordination Unit.
Looking back on 2008 as it speeds to a close, the year has been one in which “grasslands” really hit the airwaves. From the official launch of the programme by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on Biodiversity Day, 22 May 2008, to a growing media profile, there is an increasing understanding of the value of this biome. This could not be more timely with the recent media coverage on the state of South Africa’s water resources. Water production is just one of the key services of the grasslands biome which underpins livelihoods, economic growth and ecosystems.
2008 drew to a close with the end-of-year meeting of the Grasslands Steering Committee in the Wakkerstroom / Luneburg region of southern Mpumalanga, an area that plays a major role in water production. The Steering Committee and members of the media were given the opportunity to see how the Grasslands Programme is securing the critical ecosystem services of the region through biodiversity stewardship and compatible agricultural practices. While the challenges in implementation are not small, the importance of this project was underscored with local landowner and biodiversity champion, Horst Filter, showing us a few of the biodiversity jewels of the area, including a breeding pair of Wattled Cranes, and two local endemic plants, Aloe hlangapies and Bowkeria citrina.
We look forward to working with partners and stakeholders in 2009 to ensure that our grasslands continue to benefit from growing support and conservation action.
Happy holidays, and enjoy reading this issue,
Anthea Stephens
- 11 December 2008 |
