Building collective impact through partnership: Highlights from the GKSDP Network Meeting
On 25 November, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region hosted the 4th Greater Kruger Strategic Development Programme (GKSDP) Implementors’ Network Meeting at Wits Rural Campus, together with SANParks, the Timbavati Foundation and the Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust. The...
Biosphere Reserves at the heart of global biodiversity goals — and why South Africa’s support matters
~ by Lauren Booth, Communications Officer Earlier this month, the world marked the International Day of Biosphere Reserves (3 November) - a day dedicated to celebrating the 748 UNESCO-designated regions that safeguard biodiversity, while supporting sustainable...
Celebrating the One Tree Planted funders visit to our AFR 100 project site
~by Dimakatso Nonyane Project Manager: Lower Blyde Restoration Project On 17 and 18 November, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming one of our key funders from OneTree Planted to visit the AFR 100-Assisted Natural Regeneration Project in the landscape. This...
Strengthening community leadership and livelihoods in Phiring
~ by Mpho Mativandela Eco-Savings and Credit Group Coordinator The programme opened with warm introductions from all stakeholders present, including Tribal Authorities, SMME graduates, Chairpersons and Secretaries of Eco-Savings and Credit Groups (E-SCGs) across the...
Mohlatsengwane River Clean-Up
~by Brown Mnisi Pro-Nature Livelihoods Team In recognition of International Biosphere Day and in collaboration with local partners, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region facilitated a community river clean-up on 3 December at the Mohlatsengwane River in Malaeneng...
Scaling the Reusable AHP Project in Phiring and Malaeneng
~by Mpho Mativandela Eco-Savings and Credit Group Coordinator The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region is witnessing a transformative initiative that addresses environmental conservation and community wellbeing simultaneously. The Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP)...
6th National Global Change Conference – young professionals represent Catchment Partnerships
~ by Keneilwe Mmushi,Catchment Monitoring and Evaluation Officer The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the National Research Foundation of South Africa and the University of Mpumalanga, hosted the 6th National Global Change...
PROTEA Digital Tools Workshop
~ by Johan Coetzer Restoration Manager: Upper Letaba Restoration Project On 13 November 2025, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region NPC (K2C) supported the delivery of the PROTEA digital tools workshop. This workshop aimed at improving access to practical,...
Restoring the Sabie–Sand Catchment through landscape-level collaboration
Earlier in the year, we celebrated the community-driven Sand River Clean-Up, where local residents, recyclers, municipal partners and Traditional Authorities demonstrated what stewardship looks like in practice. That momentum has not only continued, it has begun to...
Phalaubeni’s new chapter begins
Rewriting their narrative from conflict to conservation champions On 8 November 2025, the community of Phalaubeni in Limpopo marked a milestone many thought impossible just a few years ago: the official launch of its community-led Eco-Tourism Office and newly...
K2C Workshops & Presentations
In the past quarter, K2C and their staff have showcased their work on the following platforms:
“Be Resilient (Citizen Science Project)- Freshwater monitoring project within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere”
– Keneilwe Mmushi, AFRIMaB Dialogue in celebration of International Biosphere Day, November 2025
Keneilwe’s AFRIMaB Dialogue presentation highlighted how the Be Resilient Citizen Science Project is empowering communities across the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere to monitor freshwater ecosystems using science-based tools and locally driven data collection. She demonstrated how this community-generated evidence is strengthening landscape governance, informing decision-making and building adaptive capacity in support of UNESCO’s global goals for resilient biosphere reserves.
Contact Keneilwe for more information – data@kruger2canyons.org
“K2C Biosphere Region and Implementation of Eco-Savings and Credit Groups”
– Mpho Mativandela, SaveAct Workshop, September 2025
Mpho showcased how K2C’s Eco-Savings and Credit Groups are strengthening financial governance, climate adaptation and livelihood resilience across the landscape, with 24 active groups now saving, lending and reinvesting through a community-owned system. She shared evidence of strong financial performance, growing accountability through the Chairman’s Forum and the role of E-SCGs in linking conservation, enterprise and household wellbeing across the Biosphere Region.
Reserve Research Symposium Report
– Romy Antrobus-Wuth, October 2025
The symposium highlighted the renewed momentum behind coordinated ecological research, building on the legacy of the LOCORES forum, which historically united scientists and managers around long-term monitoring, data sharing and applied conservation insights. Throughout the day, 20 presentations showcased cutting-edge work across ecology, birds, large mammals, water systems, social dimensions and planned student research. These sessions emphasised the value of long-term datasets, the importance of understanding human–nature interactions and the critical role of young researchers entering the field.
Participants consistently underscored the need for regular engagement, stronger communication channels and a coordinated research agenda to support evidence-based decision-making, particularly as reserves face climate variability, changing ecological baselines and increasing pressures on natural resources. The event concluded with a shared vision to establish the symposium as an annual platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and integrated landscape stewardship.
