SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) received funding for its projects from DOB Ecology, a foundation that was set up by a Dutch entrepreneurial family that feels strongly about ecology and sound, sustainable stewardship.
"DOB Ecology has approved funding of nearly R4-million for the continuation of the Jobs4Carbon (J4C) project at Van Wyksdorp," said Wendy Crane, program development coordinator for the GCBR. This funding includes a wastewater wetlands project at De Rust, which was inaugurated on Friday last week.
In November last year, two foundation representatives visiting the GCBR were taken on a four-day road trip to various parts of the biosphere reserve.
The GCBR was invited to prepare a funding proposal. The funding for one year was the result, but according to Crane, they are working on a long-term partnership and are optimistic that the foundation will continue to support the GCBR in the years ahead.
"There is a great match between our own goals and those of DOB Ecology. In fact, we were struck by how well our strategic interests and priorities talk to each other. The GCBR is currently in the process of developing its overall long-term programme framework, and this fits quite well with DOB's own vision and mission."
DOB Ecology's vision includes a healthy planet where ecosystems and people thrive. Their mission is to support partners and projects that protect and restore threatened ecosystems and (re)build the conditions for resilient livelihoods of local communities.
According to Crane, they are specifically interested in wetland and forest ecosystems, which coincide with the GCBR's long-term goals.
The GCBR's overall long-term goal is increased socio-ecological resilience in the region. "We have identified six so-called result areas where over the next 15 years we want to make an impact."
- Water Resources: significant improvement in water resource management in the GCBR
- Land and Landscapes: sustainable use and landscape management which promotes conservation of ecosystem services
- Biodiversity: reduced loss of indigenous biodiversity
- Economic Diversity and Livelihoods: a diversified regional economy, which adds value to natural assets and stimulates eco-enterprises in the domain
Knowledge, Education and Learning: more people living in the GCBR embrace sustainable living practices in their daily lives, and institutions and their Relations: increased biodiversity engagement and effectiveness of stakeholders in the GCBR.
"We aim for reciprocal partnerships, and our funding is only a part of that; the work of GCBR and its vision for the future has been an inspiration to us at the foundation and puts us on a learning curve," says a representative of DOB Ecology.
ARTICLE: TISHA STEYN
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