We are active in the Eastern Cape,
South Africa.
Living Lands is active in two diverse landscapes in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Our work and projects are diverse, as are the landscapes and the people we work with.
Baviaanskloof
Situated between the Kouga and Baviaanskloof mountain ranges lies the remote and close-knit community of the Baviaanskloof. Collaborations are centred on the ecological rehabilitation, testing and implementing regenerative farming practices, supporting local business development and wildlife management.
Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Biome: Thicket, Fynbos, Nama-karoo, Succulent karoo, Grassland, Savannah and Forest
Time active: 12 years
Current Landscape Funders:
The Coca Cola Foundation (TCCF) Rain
Global Environment Facility 5
Nationale Postcode Lotterij (NPL)
Commonland
Implementation of ecological rehabilitation activities by Living Lands has resulted in the development of the standalone Baviaanskloof Bewarea NPC. Living Lands provides ongoing management and supporting activities to ensure that ecological rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof continues and is of value to local farmers.
Our work also supports the Baviaanskloof DevCo, an essential oils company set up to diversify income streams in the area. Currently focusing on rosemary oil production, Living Lands supports the implementation of regenerative agriculture principles in line with organic requirements and Research & Development related to product diversification.
Mountain zebras have been re-introduced as part of the veld management strategy coordinated by the Baviaanskloof Bewarea NPC, whilst management of the kudu population through long-term monitoring is ongoing.
Langkloof
The Langkloof, comprising the Kouga and Kromme catchments, lies to the south of the Baviaanskloof. It is an important agricultural area, with a diversity of ecosystems, people and long history. Our work has supported sustainability in the local honeybush industry and combines this with invasive species management.
Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Biome: Fynbos
Time active: 8 years
Current Landscape Funders:
Commonland
WWF Nedbank Green Trust
The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Langkloof is an important agricultural region known for pome fruit production. It is also the source area for two dams that supply Nelson Mandela Bay and the City of Gqeberha with water.
Holistic veld management is being trialled, encompassing the diverse activities on the landscape from alien tree management to wild honeybush augmentation.
The harvesting of honeybush to make a herbal tea is engrained in the history of the Langkloof. The sustainable Honeybush programme is ensuring that honeybush and the surrounding fynbos is managed with the future in mind.