Current Focuses of the GCBC
Establishing of core corridors
The principle goal of corridor planning is to maintain or restore connectivity across the landscape. Achieving this goal in the GCBC requires stimulating the creation of additional protected areas through voluntary stewardship agreements, the introduction of land-use strategies, and the restoration of degraded land in key sites.
Area-wide planning methodologies are used and landowners are interviewed individually to gain an understanding of high priority natural vegetation on their properties, the connectivity in relation to the wider corridor, landowner conservation willingness, their conservation management and/or support needs, and future development intentions. Each property is then mapped to build a detailed indication of land uses in the corridors. A map of each property is given to landowners during the follow-up discussions of stewardship options for contract reserves, biodiversity agreement and conservation area.
Small Grants Fund
The GCBC Small Grants Fund is a joint partnership between the Table Mountain Fund, an associated trust of WWF South Africa, CapeNature and the GCBC Management Unit. The ultimate aim of this fund is to ensure civil society’s engagement in biodiversity conservation.
This fund awards grants of up to R20 000 to non-governmental organisations, community groups, industries, and other community partners for projects that promote the well being of people and nature in the GCBC on a sustainable basis. With these grants partners are assisted in their endeavours to help safeguard the natural environment of the region.
The projects must strengthen the GCBC’s six strategic directions through promoting innovative private sector and community involvement in biodiversity conservation. The outcome of these projects must aim towards expansion of protected areas, human well-being and capacity building, local economic development, sustainable land-use practices and biodiversity awareness raising.
Industries
The GCBC strives to ensure the participation of important industries within its boundaries. The overall goal is to ensure that best practices within these industries takes place ensuring that business and industry will become committed partners in conserving the biodiversity of the GCBC. These projects primarily focus on sustainability to benefit both the people and biodiversity of the region.
The GCBC has partnered with 3 different industries to date. These industries include the Rooibos tea Industry (represented by the South African Rooibos Council), the 4x4 industry (represented by South African Route Owners and Operators Forum) and the potato industry (represented by Potato South Africa). All three these industries made use of the IUCN framework for developing a Biodiversity and Business Strategy for best practices and then were piloted in the GCBC.
People in partnership
The GCBC places strong emphasis on participatory, integrated and transparent processes to achieve its goals. Therefore the successful implementation of the GCBC depends on the partners and participants of the initiative.
CapeNature, the implementing agency of the GCBC, ensures that the GCBC receives all the support it needs to achieve success. Together, CapeNature and the GCBC Project Management Unit (PMU) ensure that lasting partnerships are build throughout the corridor.
The PMU also has the backing of a GCBC Steering Committee. The committee consists of 22 members representing 22 different organisations that are highly qualified in their respective fields. The Steering Committee members are involved in all decisions that need to be made and meet every quarter to discuss projects and progress made. There are also a number of guests and GCBC Project Implementers that attend these meetings ensuring that thorough inputs are received on necessary aspects.