The Mission of the Midlands Conservancies Forum is to facilitate and coordinate the activities of a coalition of KZN Midlands conservancies, focussing on biodiversity conservation, which will ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the area.
South Africa ranks as the 3rd most biologically diverse country in the world. However, 34% of terrestrial ecosystems fall within the vulnerable and critically endangered categories.The KZN Midlands is home to 50 pairs of the less than 260 Wattled Cranes left in South Africa and home to 12 active Conservancies. There can be little doubt then that this area is a hot spot of biodiversity.
A decrease in ecosystems biodiversity is cause for considerable concern because it leads to a reduction in ecosystem services, such as a reduced capacity to generate clean water. The KZN Midlands is an important water catchment area, has forests which are home to the rare Cape Parrot, some of the last moist mist-belt grasslands (which are an important carbon sink), and includes habitats of many endangered species.
The very first conservancy established in SA was in Baglowan in 1978 and since then the area has become renowned for commitment to stewardship of natural resources.
The Mission of the Midlands Conservancies Forum is to facilitate and coordinate the activities of a coalition of KZN Midlands conservancies, focussing on biodiversity conservation, which will ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the area.
South Africa ranks as the 3rd most biologically diverse country in the world. However, 34% of terrestrial ecosystems fall within the vulnerable and critically endangered categories.The KZN Midlands is home to 50 pairs of the less than 260 Wattled Cranes left in South Africa and home to 12 active Conservancies. There can be little doubt then that this area is a hot spot of biodiversity.
A decrease in ecosystems biodiversity is cause for considerable concern because it leads to a reduction in ecosystem services, such as a reduced capacity to generate clean water. The KZN Midlands is an important water catchment area, has forests which are home to the rare Cape Parrot, some of the last moist mist-belt grasslands (which are an important carbon sink), and includes habitats of many endangered species.
The very first conservancy established in SA was in Baglowan in 1978 and since then the area has become renowned for commitment to stewardship of natural resources.
