 ProjectsThe Landmark Foundation's aim is to build the conservation economy. It undertakes projects across Southern Africa that affect our landscapes.
Work includes protected area expansion and consolidation, mitigations for climate change and desertification, social and economic upliftment through conservation solutions, waste recycling, species protection and projects leading to conservation-friendly land-uses, inclusive of water and wetland conservation. The organisation has been in operation 2004 and has demonstrated significant delivery on its mandate. It has developed a high profile and achieved significant successes in its projects. More than 200 000 hectares has been included into conservation-friendly usage, over R 40 million has been sourced for 'green' investments, and new employment opportunities have been created. The organisation remains focused on on-the-ground conservation delivery! Please visit our project pages to learn more about the foundation's work.Leopard & Predator Project This is a human-wildlife conflict mitigation programme that uses the leopard as its ecological "poster boy" in the campaign to conserve ecosystems on productive agricultural landscapes. In the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, this project has aimed to address this conflict at the top of the trophic pyramid which has brought this species to the brink of local extinction. Through its rescues, releases, research, education and advocacy, and the development of innovative mitigation and market measures, the project has enabled the better conservation of this species, and other ecological patterns and processes. This project's mission is to mainstream biodiversity conservation on livestock farms through a return to shepherding in its broadest context. In this sphere of human wildlife conflict, we promote a return to wildlife and livestock protection as opposed to the destructive "predator control" practices commonly used in South Africa. The leopard is our ambassador species as they are top predator species in the region of our operations, and their conservation has significant benefit for the entire trophic pyramid. Landmark Foundation’s leopard and predator project was initiated in 2004 and addresses the persecution of predators and leopards in particular by having established a leopard rescue, rehabilitation, release and research program. To date (May 2011) we have saved 40 leopards from certain death, but have also lost 38 leopards in that time to gin-traps, poisoning and hunting. In the research, 22 leopards have been collared with GPS devices, making the research project one of the largest research studies undertaken on leopards. We had started our focus of the work in the Eastern Cape (Addo & Baviaanskloof) and have gradually expanded the programme westwards through the Garden Route, along the Tsitsikammas, Outeniquas, Langeberge and Riviersonderend Mountains to reach the Overberg in 2010. We want to interest more collaboration and support in the region. Fair Game - Wildlife Friendly Products This project flows from the Leopard and Predator project and encompasses the development of a wildlife-friendly produce brand leading to payment for ecosystem services as a tool in conservation and local economic development. Hereby landscapes will be certified to incorporate biodiversity management standards in its management. This brand will be a value-adding, wildlife-friendly produce brand that will eventually involve several types of produce, but initially it is focused on rangeland red meats and animal fibers. The Fair Game brand is intended to assist in the conservation of indigenous biodiversity in general, and to reward those producers participating in these efforts with increased financial returns. It gives the consumer a means to support conservation friendly land uses. The meat and animal fiber brand will specifically aim to do so in rangeland or wild areas where natural habitats are intact, near intact and/or restorable. (As such, feedlot and exclusive pasture-reared animals will not be eligible for the brand as such farms generally have greatly diminished biodiversity.) The meat and animal fiber brand of Fair Game will focus on several legal, social and environmental best practice standards, but most specifically the conservation of the biodiversity patterns and processes of predation (and other key processes) on productive agricultural landscapes for which producers will be verified as to their compliance. The compliance to preconditions can be self-assessed by the farmer prior to registration, and are non-negotiable. Tsitsa Falls Adventure Tourism and Agriculture The Upper Tsitsa Falls Adventure Tourism and Agriculture project is an anchor adventure tourism attraction and agriculture (hazelnut and cash crops) project in the Maclear in the Eastern Cape, which is located in the Elundini Local Municipality and the Ukhahlamba District Municipality. The project seeks to be a catalyst for local economic development through conservation friendly tourism and agricultural activities that will be a model for sustainable development. It is located in one of the poorest and least developed parts of the Eastern Cape. The project is a partnership between local communities and two private landowners, and it will lead to the establishment of a small nature reserve in a key water catchment area.Solar Solutions This project proposes a new application of existing technologies to provide a solution to South Africa’s energy needs. It brings a unique African solution to our energy crisis and at the same time addresses pressing economic, environmental and social concerns. It develops a grid connect solar (photovoltaic) and wind generation linked to a social housing scheme that gives poor communities access to the energy and carbon market, while supporting renewable energies. Alien Plant Particle Board Project This project was short listed to the international World Bank Development Marketplace competition finals in Washington in May 2005. (This was a global competition of innovative sustainable development projects and reached the finals from almost 3000 entries globally.) The project is an attempt at dealing with a host of sustainable development issues through solving several major environmental and development issues. The project developed the research and development for the manufacture of particle board from alien plant waste linked to invasive alien plant clearing programmes, as a means to develop the financial incentive to promote the clearing of these alien plant invasives. Landmark Wetlands Landmark Foundation is developing several biodiversity restoration projects in key wetland areas in the Southern Cape. Past Projects
|
