| Full Conference Non-Student | R4,950.00 |
| Student | R3,500.00 |
| Pensioner | R3,500.00 |
| Single Day Attendance | R1,700.00 |
| Full Conference Non-Student | R5,830.00 |
| Student | R4,400.00 |
| Pensioner | R4,400.00 |
| Single Day Attendance | R1,950.00 |
Co-founder of Wild Restoration NPC
Rupert Barnard is a social entrepreneur, partnership facilitator, chainsaw operator and co-founder of the non-profit Wild Restoration. After spending the last 25 years working on social and economic development projects across Africa, Rupert now spends much of his time clearing alien invasive trees and managing a growing team of volunteers, paid crew, and contractors. He has extensive experience navigating complex and messy partnerships between government, business, civil society and academia and now leads many of Wild Restoration’s partnerships with a wide range of organisations
Co-founder of Wild Restoration NPC
Michelle is the co-founder of Wild Restoration NPC. Michelle’s expertise includes managing complex stakeholder processes, facilitation, network weaving, and closing the gap between policy, strategy and implementation. She is learning more every day about how we can reconnect and be a better ally to nature, and help people move into restorative action. She has a passion for finding practical solutions that integrate environmental, social and economic dimensions.
Professor, Department Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University Stellenbosch
After completion of his PhD studies in 2006 at Stellenbosch University, Prof Francois Roets entered the academic arena as postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pretoria. Two years later, he accepted a permanent lecturing position at Stellenbosch University in the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology where he currently holds the position of Professor and Head of Department. Most of his research is focused on the biology, ecology, systematics and conservation of multi-organism-interactions. As studies on multiple organism interactions are multidisciplinary by nature, his research repertoire includes diverse fields such as biodiversity research, ecological experimentation, landscape ecology, molecular phylogenetics, genomics, population genetics, systematics, taxonomy and metagenomics. His publication record includes about 150 papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Plant Ecology and Global Change Biology, Department Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town
Professor of plant ecology and global change biology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. His research is focused on global change in South African terrestrial ecosystems and revolves around field studies and spatial data analyses with the goal of informing policy and management. His projects focus on fire, water, land cover (including invasive species) and climate change. He is interested in understanding the processes that determine the structure, composition, and function of ecosystems and how global change drivers are altering these processes. He is also working to monitor and mitigate or adapt to global change impacts for societal benefit. He has played a leading role in the NASA BioSCape mission aimed at integrating ground based and remote sensing biodiversity monitoring efforts. He is collaborating with ASCEND in integrating spectra, traits and phylogenetic and community assembly approaches in the Fynbos regions of South Africa.
Indigenous landscape designer / botanist
Marijke Honig obtained a Botany Honours degree at UCT in 1990, majoring in ecology and systematics. Worked at Kirstenbosch for five years sharing her passion for plants by writing ‘stories about plants’ – created an educational garden and developed a visitor interpretation programme. From 1999 she started landscaping, creating natural styled gardens by combining her knowledge of indigenous plant ecology with a love for design. In 2010 she worked with OVP on the Biodiversity Showcase Garden at Green Point Park, starting with the conceptual design and development of storylines and themes, to the development of interpretive signs and planting design. In 2014 she published a book on ‘Indigenous Plant Palettes – a guide to plant selection’. Reprinted in 2023. She has always wanted to work on a larger scale, on farms. Currently doing a landscape project at Zonnestraal Farm. And writing a booklet for WWF entitled ‘Farming with Biodiversity, some case studies from the Western Cape’.
Researcher, African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town
Dr Petra Holden is a transdisciplinary conservation scientist specialises in research on nature-based solutions. Crossing natural and social sciences, her work intersects social equity, water security, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and climate change. Her past research includes attributing the impacts of climate change on water security and quantifying how well nature-based solutions can offset anthropogenic climate change impacts. Currently, her focus is on research to inform nature-based solutions that are more equitable and sustainable at local levels while accounting for changes in the climate. In 2023, Petra’s work on nature-based solutions was recognised on an international stage through receiving the Frontiers Planet Prize, which awards research that contributes towards solutions to planetary environmental challenges. Petra also provides nature-based solution science advisory support to policy and practice. This includes serving on an international global advisory panel for gender inclusive nature-based solutions and as an advisor to the South African National Biodiversity Institute for supporting the access of international climate finance for nature-based solution projects and programmes.
6 AUGUST
iNaturalist has become a powerful citizen science tool, and with (as of June 2024) 4.5M observations of almost 44k wild species in southern Africa, an indispensable data source for research, planning and management in biogeographical, conservation, phenological and climate change sciences. Although iNaturalist data can be accessed via GBIF, or downloaded directly, it is crucial to understand the definitions and limitations of the data available. This workshop will introduce data users to the quirks of the iNaturalist data, as well as the tools needed to clean and prepare the data for downloading, how to obtain additional information, and how to encourage and enlist citizen scientists to contribute specifically to your research or management projects. The identification-curation tool, data quality assessment, filtering data, accessing observation fields and project design will be addressed. This is an intermediate level course, and wont deal with data extraction and manipulation via APIs and programming. Participants are expected to have signed up, and contributed at least a dozen observations to iNaturalist, and to have an interest in exploring and using citizen science data. Please bring your laptop to the workshop.
6 AUGUST: The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) Partnership plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, advocacy, learning, and communication among a diverse group of stakeholders and role players across the floristic region. Its primary objective is to successfully and sustainably conserve the unique biodiversity of the CFR, building upon the legacy of the Cape Action for People and the Environment (CAPE). The Partnership aims to create a platform for voluntary engagement, fostering collaboration at multiple scales. Over the past year, progress has been made in establishing the foundation of this successful partnership. The upcoming workshop provides an opportunity to consolidate and broaden participation among those actively involved in safeguarding the Cape Floristic Region. During the workshop, we will update our progress and explore future directions on certain working group themes. Key areas of focus include strengthening relevant research, promoting volunteerism, implementing integrated alien and fire management strategies, and supporting the green/biodiversity economy. These conversations will contribute to the working groups that are being formed to optimize community involvement and resource utilization. Agenda: 1.Welcome 2. Setting the Scene- Financing future CFRP activities 3. Overall update for CFRP: CFRP branding, Vision and Mission; Communication Plan; Action Plan; progress to date and next steps. 4. Introduction to the different CFRP working groups: o Communication – research and practitioners. o Integrated Fire and Alien Invasive Plant Management Comfort break o Green/Biodiversity Economy and Investment o Volunteerism 5. Break out groups on each of the above topics with a rotating leads. 6. Feedback and Synthesis 7. Close and thanks Dates for the AGM and Knowledge Exchange
Conserving 67 % of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Network
To visit Klipheuwel Corridor (including properties such as Damarakloof Conservation Area, Joostenberg Private Nature Reserve & Joostenbergskloof Conservation Area) roughly 25 km south of Technopark. These ‘new’ conservation areas showcase the challenges around urban conservation on the Cape lowlands in an immensely fragmented landscape where biodiversity is under extreme pressure. Despite the immense challenges, progress is being made with new Conservation Areas becoming established and species brought back from the brink of extinction. Both pro-active and reactive methods are being implemented to facilitate Protected Area Expansion within the most threatened ecosystems in the Cape.
Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden: ex-situ conservation in practise
The field trip will start at the Duthie Nature Reserve – a tiny urban alluvial remnant that perfectly illustrates the challenges of conservation in a highly transformed and fragmented landscape. We will then run through an overview of our conservation programme in practise and the realities and challenges of what even the first steps look like towards achieving global best practise in ex-situ population management and species recovery . SA has a massive gap between our ex-situ and species recover goals and actual achievement, and we’ll talk to both the need, and some innovative approaches towards closing the gap. Recommended reading: Hoban, Sean. ‘New Guidance for Ex Situ Gene Conservation: Sampling Realistic Population Systems and Accounting for Collection Attrition’. Biological Conservation 235 (1 July 2019): 199–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.04.013. Hoban, Sean M. ‘Saving Seeds: Optimally Planning Our Ex Situ Conservation Collections to Ensure Species’ Evolutionary Potential’. Academic. Forestry Service, US Dept. Agriculture, 2016. https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr963_051.pdf.
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve –
CapeNature monitoring of sites on the Eerste River started in 1991, using the South African Scoring System (SASS) method to monitor water quality using macro-invertebrates as bio-indicators. This method has undergone several updates, and the latest version, SASS version 5 (or SASS 5) has been in use since 2002. The Eerste River monitoring project is a long-term monitoring project of four river sites along the Eerste River and Assegaaibosch River in Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, to inform the Boland Complex Protected Area Management Plan and track seasonal changes in water quality and instream habitat from a river which flows from the Boland Strategic Water Source Area
Day 1: 6 August Tuesday | ||||
| Start time | Description | Presenter name | Talk title | THEMATIC SESSION |
| 8:30: | Arrival, registration and coffee | |||
| 8:45: | Welcome & Introduction | |||
| 9:00: | Keynote 1 | Dr Jasper Slingsby | The Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (BioSCape): progress so far | |
| 9:30: | Presentation (12 mins) | Graham van Bergen | Dung and carrion beetle diversity in relation to forest size and isolation | Biodiversity origins and ecology |
| 9:42: | Presentation (12 mins) | Alastair John Potts | Exploring the climatic origins of Fynbos | |
| 9:54: | Presentation (12 mins) | Sabine Prader | Quantifying resilience: within and between biome tipping points in palaeoecological data from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa | |
| 10:06: | Presentation (12 mins) | Alan Lee | Avian Conservation in the Cape Floristic Region: Insights from the BioSCape’s BioSoundSCapes Project | |
| 10:18: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Samantha Mynhardt | Conserving the Golden Moles of the South African West Coast | |
| 10:24: | Tea break | |||
| 11:09: | Keynote 2 | Dr Petra Holden | Topic TBC | |
| 11:39: | Presentation (12 mins) | Ira Tzitzika | Herbicide impacts on target and non-target vegetation in a fynbos environment, South Africa. | Invasive species eradication and control |
| 11:51: | Presentation (12 mins) | Ms Debbie Muir Pr.Sci.Nat | Essential components of effective regional guidelines for registration of biopesticides and biological control agents | |
| 12:03: | Presentation (12 mins) | AnneLise Schutte-Vlok | Willie speel nie’ – Innovative clearing of invasive alien plants in the Kammanassie Riversystem | |
| 12:15: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Talifhani Takalani | Management of Billardiera heterophylla in the Western Cape, South Africa | |
| 12:21: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Mosibudi Wendy Cherane | Kunzea ericoides in South Africa: current distribution and management implications. | |
| 12:27: | Lunch Break | |||
| 13:27: | WORKSHOPS (2h00mins) | WORKSHOP 1: Accessing iNaturalist data for research and management (Tony Rebelo) | WORKSHOP 2: Uniting Stakeholders for the Future of the Cape Floristic Region (Giselle Murison and Sarah Hulley) | Workshops |
| 15:27: | Tea break | |||
| 16:07: | Presentation (12 mins) | Thapelo Kgomo | Habitat, plant communities and threats to the Robertson Granite Renosterveld | Data tools and products |
| 16:19: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Tristan Kruger | Prioritizing plant species for recovery in South Africa | |
| 16:25: | Presentation (12 mins) | Renier Johannes Basson | Endemic and endangered Fynbos insects | |
| Presentation (12 mins) | Kagiso Mogajane | How to use iNaturalist and CarryMap as tools for field vegetation data and introducing National Vegetation Map 2024 beta | ||
| 16:37: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Dewidine van der Colff | A protocol to address the impact of biological invasions on native species range shifts in response to climate change: Implications within protected areas | |
| 16:43: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | Philip Desmet | National Vegetation Map 2024: A summary of updates | |
| 16:49: | Presentation – short (6 mins) | David Gwynne-Evans | CASABIO – New technologies bolster citizen science capability. | |
| 16:55: | Short break | |||
| 17:10: | YOUTH SESSION – Youth Social & Networking event. Join us for a fun Fynbos Quiz! For all students and young working professionals | OPTION FOR TURNING INTO FLOWERS / PHOTO BOOTH | ||
| 18:10: | EVENING FUNCTION | |||
Day 2: 7 August Wednesday |
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| Start time | Description | Presenter | Talk title | THEMATIC SESSION |
| 8:00: | Arrival, registration and coffee | |||
| 8:30: | Keynote 3 | Marijke Honig | Farming with Biodiversity | |
| 9:00: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Julia Wood | Consider the Mediterranean Shrubland: What is Effective Conservation Action? |
Conservation effectiveness and looking to the future |
| 9:12: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Frances Balayer | The Revised Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2030: Beyond Traditional Conservation | |
| 9:24: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Dr Antoinette Veldtman | Bridging the gap between research and management. | |
| 9:36: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Sarah Hulley | Improving Management Effectiveness of Existing Biodiversity Stewardship Protected Areas in the Western Cape | |
| 9:48: | Presentation (6 mins) |
Bruce Esau | A park with a Purpose: Boland Park’s urban renosterveld revival. | |
| 9:54: | POSTER PRESENTATIONS | Zamasodi Mkhungo Xolani Mabaso Muneeba Lamera Kayleigh Murray Nicolaas Tobias Moolman |
– Protocols for in-vitro seed germination and callus induction for Freylinia visseri (CR) and Gladiolus roseovensus (CR). – Reptile Establishment Risk Assessment: A proactive approach to minimizing reptile invasions in the Western Cape – How far do they move? The utilisation of nectar rich stepping stones by nectar feeding birds in urban areas – Promoting local, small-scale plant conservation through volunteer stewardship – Monitoring endangered plants in the greater Stellenbosch area: our mission and work |
Posters |
| Tea break | ||||
| 0:30: | Keynote 4 | Prof Francois Roets | Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer invasion of urban, agricultural and natural habitats in the Cape Floral Region | |
| 1:00: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Anneke Elliott | Determinants of individual native tree fern (Gymnosphaera capensis) health status in the southern Cape Afrotemperate forests after reports of severe dieback. |
Drivers and change: climate and fire
|
| 1:12: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Hana Petersen | Reviewing observed climate change impacts on plant communities in Mediterranean-type ecosystems | |
| 1:24: | Presentation (12 mins) |
Abri de Buys | Fog regimes and hydration of an endangered species in the hyper diverse Fynbos biome | |
| 1:36: | Presentation (6 mins) |
Andrie-Maryna van Heerden | An analysis of selected influencing factors of wildfire regimes over the last three decades in the Boland Mountain Complex, South Africa | |
| 1:42: | Presentation (6 mins) |
Charlotte Stafford | Impacts of Fire and Grazing as Potential Management Strategies for Fynbos Vegetation in the Cape Floral Region | |
| 1:52: | Presentation (6 mins) |
Ryan Blanchard | Mapping trends in the burnt area from 2002 to 2024 using MODIS derived data via the Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS) platform | |
| 1:58: | Collect lunch packs for field trip and depart | |||
| 2:13: | DEPARTURE FOR FIELD TRIPS – STELLENBOSCH AND SURROUNDS | FIELD TRIPS: 1) Conserving 67 % of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Network (led by Jacques van der Merwe); |
Arrangements to be announced | |
| 6:13: | ARRIVAL BACK AT MAIN VENUE | |||
| 6:28: | Fynbos Forum AGM – Everyone welcome! Please join | Martina Treurnicht, Adriaan Grobler | ||
| Fynbos Forum Dinner and Disco | OPTION FOR TURNING INTO FLOWERS / PHOTO BOOTH | |||
Day 3: 8 August Thursday | ||||
| Start time | Description | Presenter | Talk title | THEMATIC SESSION |
| 8:00: | Arrival, registration and coffee | |||
| 8:15: | Keynote 5 | Michelle de Bruyn, Rupert Barnard (Wild Restoration) | A collaborative action network for invasive clearing groups in the Greater Cape Floristic Region Conservation through collaboration: the Power of Partnerships | |
| 9:15: | Presentation (12 mins) | Jacques van der Merwe | Conserving 67 % of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Network: | Conservation initiatives |
| 9:27: | Presentation (12 mins) | Nicole Loebenberg | Food from our Ancestors | |
| 9:39: | Presentation (12 mins) | Kerry Maree | Five years into our conservation strategy and we look back to look forward. | |
| 9:51: | Presentation (12 mins) | Alrie van Wyk | Experiencing Fynbos on the Edge | |
| 10:03: | Presentation (12 mins) | John Wilson | Implementation of the Ecological Infrastructure Investment Framework: achieving biodiversity gains by addressing life’s pains | |
| 10:15: | Presentation (6 mins) | Peter Viljoen | Table Mountain Fund: Prosperity programme Biodiversity Contractor Development programme. | |
| 10:21: | Presentation (12 mins) | Richard M Cowling | Identifying conservation champions: what can we learn from the divided brain hypothesis | |
| 10:33: | Tea break | |||
| 11:03: | Presentation (12 mins) | Ruby Davies | Alien Plant Invasions Impact Nectar Robbing of Erica’s within the Cape Fynbos | Pollination and connectivity |
| 11:15: | Presentation (12 mins) | Anina Coetzee | The Influence of Nectar Robbers in shaping flower colour | |
| 11:27: | Presentation (12 mins) | Mr Asekho Mantintsilili | Supplemental feeding impact on nectarivorous birds and bird-pollinated plants in young fynbos | |
| 11:39: | Presentation (12 mins) | Katharine L. Khoury | Geographic variation in pollinator community composition drives remarkable floral variation in painted ladies | |
| 11:51: | POSTER PRESENTATIONS | Julian Johnson-Barker Curtley Wayne Tonkin Fadwa Mohammed Phophi Ceri Thovhakale Kayleigh Mengel Tallulah Rose Glasby | – The Ecology of Fire in Fynbos: The Indirect Effects of Fire on Bird Community Composition in Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos. – Ecological condition mapping of natural remnant vegetation in South Africa: how to assess ecological condition in the Fynbos biome? – Assessing the response of Aspalathus amoena to different disturbance regimes in Breede Alluvium Fynbos agroscapes in the Western Cape, South Africa. – Effects of rooting hormone and rooting medium on the rooting of Acmadenia alternifolia and A. heterophylla – Pleistocene sea-level changes as a driver of incipient speciation in coastal endemic Stoebe daisies (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae) – Cracking the crust: Uncovering biocrust geochemistry and biotic interactions in GCFR drylands | Posters |
| 12:21: | Lunch break | |||
| 13:21: | Presentation (12 mins) | Aileen Anderson | Creating a safe home in the Huis River for the Tradouw Redfin Tradouw Redfin | Restoration |
| 13:33: | Presentation (12 mins) | Bongiwe Mbombo | The effect of polymer coating technology on selected fynbos seeds to overcome ecological barriers for restoration in Lowland Sand Fynbos | |
| 13:45: | Presentation (6 mins) | Tshepo Mamabolo | Swartland Renosterveld: Seed Restoration of a previously ploughed field at Tygerberg Nature Reserve | |
| 13:51: | Presentation (12 mins) | Thabang Makola | Minimum optimal seed sowing densities for active restoration in Swartland Shale Renosterveld | |
| 14:03: | Presentation (12 mins) | Ancois C. de Villiers | Global ambitions and local nuances in landscape restoration: Case studies exploring opportunities and challenges in cross-scale interactions of policies, funding, and values of fynbos stewardship | |
| 14:15: | Presentation (6 mins) | Johann van Biljon | If heathy ecosystems are necessary to buffer climate change. Then why are there so few restoration practitioners? | |
| 14:21: | CLOSING AND PRIZES | |||
Rates for sharing pp incl breakfast
Special rates for the group
Sharing room: R1 107.50 pp
Single Room: R1 815
Plan your getaway to one of South Africa’s most charming towns and let us extend you a warm welcome. Ideally situated and brimming with amenities, Protea Hotel Stellenbosch is an ideal destination for business and leisure. We’re just a short distance from attractions including Stellenbosch University and Stellenbosch Town Centre, as well as Blaauwklippen vineyard. Intuitively appointed accommodations feature deluxe bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, room service and other thoughtful perks. We also offer apartment-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, perfect for extended stays in South Africa. Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast at Cultivar Restaurant or relax over dinner and drinks at Die Wingerd Restaurant. If you’re hosting an event in Stellenbosch, you’ll appreciate our 11,000 square feet of flexible space, including a venue that can accommodate up to 400 guests – as well as our comprehensive planning and catering services. We look forward to taking care of you at Protea Hotel Stellenbosch.
Please fill in the form below to request accommodation at Protea Hotel Stellenbosch Technopark. You will be supplied with an invoice/quotation.
To view the rooms go to: https:cptst-protea-hotel-stellenbosch/overview/
Contact Details: +27 21-880-9500
*No rooms can be guaranteed and will be allocated as booked out.
