Stephanie Midgley is the Specialist Scientist for Climate Change at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. She is also an Associate Professor Extraordinary in the Department of Horticultural Science at Stellenbosch University.
Stephanie navigates the boundaries between Agriculture and Environment by taking a holistic approach to landscape-level natural resources management, risk reduction and building climate resilience, while remaining grounded in the practical and economic realities of farming. She holds an MSc(Agric) in Horticultural Science from Stellenbosch University, and a PhD in Botany from the University of Cape Town. She has 35 years’ experience in research and policy on climate change and regularly engages with a wide range of audiences across research, government and practice.
Ashley Naidoo is the Chief Executive Officer of CapeNature, leading the public entity in biodiversity conservation and ecotourism within the Western Cape.
In his previous and current roles, a recurring outcome is the translation of environmental science into actionable policy. Appointed as the CEO to CapeNature in January 2024, Dr. Naidoo oversees the provincial conservation efforts within and outside protected areas across the Western Cape. His focus includes expanding the conservation efforts through meaningful stakeholder engagement. He previously served as the Chief Director for Oceans and Coasts Research at the national level where he managed large-scale science programmes with emphasis on marine physics, chemistry, and biology. Dr. Naidoo also served on the Board of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), leveraging satellite Earth observations to monitor the ocean environment.
Louise Stafford is a seasoned conservation leader with over two decades of experience in natural resource management. She leads TNC’s South Africa’s program, driving large-scale conservation initiatives that protect biodiversity, enhance water security, and support sustainable livelihoods.
Under her leadership, TNC South Africa is expanding its impact by implementing innovative financing mechanisms, fostering public-private partnerships, and advancing science-based conservation solutions. Louise played a pivotal role in establishing the Greater Cape Town Water Fund, a globally recognized model for using nature-based solutions to secure water. She continues to champion the role of Water Funds and other blended finance mechanisms to mobilize investment in nature.
She has extensive experience working at the intersection of policy, finance, and conservation to ensure lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Louise holds a Master of Science in Entomology from Rhodes University, where her research focused on the biological control of aquatic weeds.
Sharon Deal is an Emotional Intelligence Coach, facilitator and leadership development practitioner with more than 25 years’ experience as a leader and business owner in the corporate environment.
She works with entrepreneurs, executives, teams and organisations to build emotionally healthy, values-led and courageous cultures.
Sharon’s work focuses on emotional intelligence, positive intelligence, conversational intelligence, leadership development, trust, team transformation and personal growth. She is passionate about helping leaders understand who they are, regulate how they show up under pressure, and lead from authenticity, integrity and courage. Through coaching, facilitation, workshops, training and retreats, Sharon partners with individuals and teams to build the mental fitness, emotional stability and relational trust needed for meaningful collaboration and change. Her work is rooted in the belief that stewardship begins within — and that courageous, self-aware people create healthier teams, cultures and communities.
Natural systems across the globe are being pushed to the brink—and the Cape Floristic Region is no exception. Climate change, habitat transformation, and biodiversity loss are reshaping ecosystems at an unprecedented pace. Nature is on the edge.
At the same time, conservation itself is increasingly defined by uncertainty. Scientists, land managers, policymakers, and practitioners are working in conditions that are constantly shifting, where outcomes are unpredictable and stability is no longer guaranteed. We are all working at the edge.
The 2026 Fynbos Forum conference, Working Together at the Edge, invites contributions that engage with this reality. What does it mean to conserve biodiversity in a world of instability? How do we make decisions and take action in the face of uncertainty?
We welcome papers that explore ecological thresholds, resilience, and adaptation, as well as the human dimensions of conservation—collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and working across boundaries. Contributions may include research, case studies, and perspectives that reflect the challenges and opportunities of conserving biodiversity under changing conditions.
By bringing together diverse voices, this conference aims to foster collaboration and inspire new approaches to navigating uncertainty and supporting the long-term resilience of fynbos ecosystems.
08:30 Arrival, registration & coffee Session A |
Session B |
08:45 Welcome & Introduction 09:20 Keynote 1 Louise Stafford (Country Director, The Nature Conservancy) Funding Nature: Lessons from the Cape Water Performance-Based Bond 09:32 Presentation Conservation Planning & Invasive Species Management – Session 1A 09:44 Various Presentations | SYMPOSIUM: OF TEA AND WILD EDIBLES – Intersecting Research and Practitioner Voices 1. Loubie Rusch; 2. Dr Nicola Kuhn; 3. Dr Rhoda Malgas; 4. Dr Stembile Ndwandwe Symposium – Presentation Symposium – Presentation Symposium – Presentation Discussion time |
11:00 Tea Break | |
11:12 Presentations: Conservation Planning & Invasive Species Management | 11:12 Presentations: Plant Functional Traits, Climate Resilience and Species Conservation |
Session 2A 11:24 Presentation | Session 2B 11:24 Presentations |
13:36 Lunch Break | |
14:11 Keynote 2 Sharon Deal (Practitioner, Who I am Foundation) The Inner Work of Stewardship 14:23 Presentation: Conservation Planning and Community Engagement – | Presentation: Data, Monitoring, and Decision Support Tools – |
Session 3A 14:35 Presentations | Session 3B Presentations |
16:09 Tea Break | |
18:39 Workshop 1 Workshop organisers/facilitators: Geordie Ractliffe, Nthakoana Maema, Michelle de Bruyn, Martina Treurnicht Title: Building Nature-Positive Networks for Resilience and Guardianship of Ecological Infrastructure | Workshop 2 Workshop organisers/facilitators: Mustapha Musa and Alastair Potts Rapid10 Survey Workshop: from field data capture to community description |
19:00. Dinner | |
08:30 Arrival, registration & coffee | |
Session A 09:05 Keynote 3 Ashley Naidoo (Chief Executive Officer of CapeNature) Title – TBC | |
09:17 Presentation: Invasive Species Management & Ecological Restoration – Session 4A | 09:29 Presentations: Sustainable Resource Use and Traditional Knowledge – Session 4B |
10:59 Poster Session | |
11:00 Light lunch | |
12:00 Presentation | |
12:00 Ecological Restoration and Disturbance Ecology – Session 5A | 12:00 Conservation Planning and Community Engagement – Session 5B |
13:12 TEA BREAK AND Departure for field trips | |
13:27 Field trips:
| |
17:27 Arrival back at main venue | |
18:30 Disco Evening | |
08:00 Arrival, registration & coffee | |
08:30 Keynote 4 Stephanie Midgley Biodiversity and agriculture sectors working together for area-wide climate resilience | |
09:05 Presentation Plant Functional Traits, Climate Resilience and Species Conservation – Session 6A | 09:05 Presentation. Conservation Planning and Community Engagement – Session 6B |
09:17 Presentation | 09:17 Presentation |
10:05 Poster Session | |
11:17 Tea Break | |
11:52 Workshop 3 Unlocking Sustainable Finance for the Cape Floristic Region Andrew Turner, John Wilson, Frances Balayer, Sarah Hulley, Christel Liebenberg | |
14:22 Lunch Break | |
15:22 Closing & Prizes | |
Standard Rates from 13 June 2026
Abstract Submission Close: 30 May 2026 (Extended to 7 June)
04 – 06 August 2026, ATKV Goudini Spa
REGISTRATION FEES
Rates include dinners, scientific programme and electronic proceedings
Please read and follow the abstract guidelines carefully.
They are provided here as a guide to help you plan in advance, and can be found here
Welcome to ATKV Goudini Spa – in the heart of the Boland mountains, just outside Worcester. Surrounded by majestic natural beauty and vineyards, this popular resort offers the ideal escape for families, couples and nature lovers seeking rest, adventure and quality time together. ATKV Goudini Spa also features modern four-star conference facilities, making it the perfect choice for professional events in an inspiring setting. Here, relaxation and excellence come together to make every visit truly unforgettable.
IMPORTANT: Negotiated rates below only through the booking system below. Contact at Goudini: Mustafa Solomons (MustaphaS@atkv.org.za)
Accommodation Rates:
Luxury Rondawel
Slanghoek Villas (Single) per person per night R2,960
IMPORTANT Note: the invoice/quote will be raised to the delegate making the booking at the full cost for sharing units
