Preserving Wildlife and Biodiversity in Africa: The South Africa Project
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The Eastern Cape Province of South Africa contains an incredible diversity of life encompassing five biomes and varied wildlife habitats, ranging from alpine grasslands to the coastal sand dunes and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Central to all this is the unique and vulnerable 
subtropical thicket biome, home to remarkable wildlife diversity ranging from “mega-herbivores” (ie. black rhinos) to “predators” (i.e.. leopards) and a stunning variety of rare and endemic plant species. In addition, the region is home to unique cultural heritage as well as complex social issues such as poverty, unemployment, health, rural overcrowding and declining agricultural productivity, all of which provides an excellent opportunity for onsite sustainable resource management analysis. These trends are largely responsible for the continued threats facing this area of outstanding natural beauty. The subtropical thicket biome of the Eastern Cape has been severely impacted through human activity and continues to face increasing threats from overgrazing, land clearing, invasive plant species and unsustainable or illegal resource harvest. 
Participants will join wildland researchers in investigating the social-ecology and conservation of several of South Africa’s premier ecosystems and the magnificent wildlife populations they support. Through hands-on approaches, team members will gain a unique perspective on conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity issues in South Africa, working in and travelling to areas not often visited by tourists and well off the beaten track. Our team will explore the Eastern Cape Province, visiting a variety of nature reserves as well as public, private and communal lands to observe and experience firsthand the diversity and beauty of South Africa’s heritage
THE PROJECT
The group will conduct field studies in several areas including the World Heritage listed Baviaanskloof and the Great Fish River Reserves. The latter contains one of the largest populations of black rhinos on the continent. Eland, kudu, hartebeest and leopard are among the other large animals we will encounter here and the reserve is preparing to receive a reintroduction of elephants, previously wipe
d out in the nineteenth century by hunting. We will also examine the famous Addo National Park with its dense elephant population and study the effects of these mega-herbivores on the vegetation. Key wildlife species do not exist solely in government conservation areas however. In South Africa, additional options for their conservation arise from possibilities for wildlife conservation through private game reserves and biodiversity stewardship agreements. We will examine first hand these enterprises that attempt to combine conservation with community benefits (e.g. employment) and profits. Our efforts will also involve studies of smaller mammals to understand the links made between the survival of these species and their threatened surrounding habitat. In particular, we will look at the increasing efforts of ecological restoration in the Eastern Cape and the suite of practical challenges and opportunities it presents. 
A second goal of our project will be to understand the human dimension of wildlife controversies through dialogue with local people whose livelihood depends on the land. Reconciling how to simultaneously protect and conserve wildlife populations while supporting human economic growth and cultural diversity is one of the greatest challenges faced by conservationists today. Our team will gain exposure to local people and their perspectives through visits to farms, community projects and villages. Participation in pastoral projects involving the indigenous Nguni cattle, local ranches, and towns will give us perspective on the fascinating human dimension of this culturally-rich region of the Eastern Cape. We will enrich our understanding about the needs and concerns of local people, as well as the historical, economic, and cultural constraints under which they operate. A final goal of our project will be to integrate our understanding of the human, scientific, a
nd wildlife dimensions, and to share our observations and research with local landowners/residents, managers, and scientists who are considering the region’s future.
A combination of hands-on involvement in original research projects, exchange with local people, and steeping ourselves in the natural environment will provide us with a rich and broad-based educational experience, and a tremendous opportunity for both intellectual and personal growth. By the end of the project, we will have gained and contributed to a broader perspective on the interplay between the human, scientific, ethical, and ecological dimensions in the conservation across some of the world’s most precious ecosystems. In-country fee: $1850.
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PROJECT LEADERS
MATTHEW ZYLSTRA has extensive experience with ecosystem management and social-ecological restoration through conservation initiatives. For the past three years, he has been involved with landscape restoration in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
DIETER VAN DEN BROECK is a wildlands researcher interested in ecosystem management, restoration and participatory strategy development.