Strategy

South Africa's grasslands biome was identified in the 2004 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment as a biodiversity priority area in need of urgent conservation action. The Grasslands Programme is a bioregional initiative designed to address this.

Vision

The vision of the Grasslands Programme is to sustain and secure the biodiversity and associated ecosystem services of the grassland biome for the benefit of current and future generations.

Mission

The mission of the Grasslands Programme is to:

• Ensure the wise management of biodiversity contributes to sustainable development in the grasslands biome.
• Ensure production and development activities are appropriately located and managed so that the delivery of ecosystem services is not impaired.
• Mobilise and empower land users and landowners, including companies, to be effective stewards of the landscape.

Objectives

The strategic objectives of the Programme are to:

• Secure and effectively manage a network of protected areas that conserves a representative sample of grassland biodiversity and key ecological processes, including terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.
• Mainstream biodiversity into the plans, policies and programmes of production sectors and regulatory authorities to ensure they contribute to the ecological integrity of the grasslands biome.
• Ensure good management practice across the landscape contributes to sustaining the natural and cultural heritage of the grasslands biome.
• Ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in the grasslands biome improves livelihoods, especially those of local communities.
• Strengthen the enabling environment for biodiversity conservation in the grasslands biome.
• Stimulate awareness and understanding of the valuable contribution of grasslands biodiversity to sustainable development.