“Stewardship refers to the wise use, management and protection of that which has been entrusted to you or is rightfully yours. Within the context of conservation, stewardship means protecting important ecosystems, effectively managing invasive alien species and fires, and grazing or harvesting without damaging the veld.”
“Introducing Conservation Stewardship”
Landowners can play a pivotal role in conservation. With 80% of the priority habitats for conservation in private hands in South Africa, conservation strategies must involve farmers, land managers and communities. In the past conservation efforts have been focused on establishing & managing formal nature reserves – owned either by the state, the province or municipalities. Now the focus has shifted to the wealth of biodiversity that requires urgent protection outside of the formal network of reserves – i.e. conservation “off-reserves” and on private land. This thinking has led to the formation of a Stewardship Programme within CapeNature, in order to provide support to the operational component of CapeNature for implementation of biodiversity conservation in the landscape on private land.
Broadly speaking, stewardship refers to the wise use, management and protection of that which has been entrusted to your care. Within the context of conservation, stewardship means protecting important ecosystems, effectively managing invasive alien species and fires, and grazing or harvesting without damaging the veld. For conservationists, promoting stewardship means providing support, advice & tangible benefits that landowners need to make conservation an option they would consider.
The central principles of the Stewardship Programme are as follows:
Site security is all important – without securing the conservation status of land and giving it legal status, the future existence of that site is not guaranteed. I.e. basing conservation of irreplaceable biodiversity on gentleman’s agreements alone is very risky!
Landowner-focused extension is the key - One of the main reasons why biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate on private land is because there has been insufficient “feet on the ground” and capacity within CapeNature to inform, help and support those who make decisions about private land use.
Focus on priorities – i.e. make conservation count in the areas that it counts! Resources, time and energy are wasted when conservation effort is expended in areas that are not priorities for conservation (either because that type of vegetation or ecosystem is sufficiently protected, not under threat or become irreparably disturbed).
Biodiversity is the bottom line! – decisions made about which properties should be the focus of conservation investment should be very defensible and based entirely on the biodiversity value of the land, and not who owns the land, their political or economic status etc.
People’s needs matter! – For a private land extension programme to be effective, the approach must be centered two things: i) understanding the attitudes and motivations of the residing people; and ii) meeting the needs of these people as far as possible that would enable them to better manage the natural habitats on their properties.
Stewardship Options
A three tiered framework for Stewardship is available”:
Contract Nature Reserve – legally binding contract over a defined term
Biodiversity Agreement – legally binding contract over a defined term
Conservation Area – not legally binding and no term attached.
What are the characteristics and conditions of the stewardship options?
Conservation Areas
Biodiversity Agreements
Contract nature Reserves
1. Duration
None Speciified
Minimum 5 Years
In perpetuity (forever), but a minimum of 30 years
2. Zoning
Existing Zoning (e.g. Agriculture)
Existing Zoning
Zoning must change to Open Space III or an applicable Conservation zoning
3. Restrictions
Very few
Resource use allowed, but must comply with provisions in the Management Plan. Audited on an annual basis.
Without consent from CNC:
No agricultural clearing.
No commercial activity.
No development.
Annual audit checks for compliance.
Conditional public access allowed. CapeNature must notify landowner of intended access.
4. Access
Landowner determines access
Landowner
Determines who may have access. CapeNature must notify landowner of intended access.
Conditional public access allowed. CapeNature must notify landowner of intended access.
5. Legal Status
No legal status
Legal status due to contract signed between landowner & CapeNature.
Legal status due to contract signed between landowner & CapeNature and Notarial deed attached to property title deed.
+ all other incentives applicable to Conservation Areas.
Rates exclusion on conserved area
Enhanced marketing exposure – e.g. through CapeNature website
Accommodation discounts / Wildcard
Management Plan (most detailed)
+ all other incentives applicable to Co-operation agreements.
Note: Landowner retains ownership and is entitled to all normal ownership rights for all 3 options!
How to enter into a Conservation Stewardship Agreement?
If a landowner is interested in a stewardship option, what is the process that must be followed?
Interested landowner approaches the Stewardship Programme or a property is identified in a systematic conservation plan as being of high biodiversity value.
Technical site assessment by CapeNature staff (extension officer, regional ecologist etc).
Site Assessment Review Committee proposes appropriate stewardship option based on biodiversity value alone.
Draft legal agreement drawn up by CapeNature legal services or private legal consultant based on a basic Performa/template.
Draft agreement negotiation.
Submit contract to MEC for official declaration in terms of the Protected Areas Act.
CapeNature extension staff to draw up management plan for the site with landowner, all provisions require landowner’s consent.
Landowners can play a pivotal role in conservation. With 80% of the priority habitats for conservation in private hands in South Africa, conservation strategies must involve farmers, land managers and communities. In the past conservation efforts have been focused on establishing & managing formal nature reserves – owned either by the state, the province or municipalities. Now the focus has shifted to the wealth of biodiversity that requires urgent protection outside of the formal network of reserves – i.e. conservation “off-reserves” and on private land. This thinking has led to the formation of a Stewardship Programme within CapeNature, in order to provide support to the operational component of CapeNature for implementation of biodiversity conservation in the landscape on private land. 
