Rooted Resilience: Navigating the Future of Fynbos Conservation

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Important Dates

Early Bird Registrations until 01 July

Abstract submissions are CLOSED,
 submission deadline was 15 June 2024

Registration Rates

Early Bird (Ends 01 July)

Full Conference Non-StudentR4,950.00
StudentR3,500.00
PensionerR3,500.00
Single Day AttendanceR1,700.00

Standard (Ends 01 August)

Full Conference Non-StudentR5,830.00
StudentR4,400.00
PensionerR4,400.00
Single Day AttendanceR1,950.00

KEYNOTES

Rupert Barnard

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

Michelle de Bruyn

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.

Prof Francois Roets

Dr Jasper Slingsby

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.

Marijke Honig

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’. 

Dr Petra Holden

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.

Workshops and Fieldtrips

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

WELCOME TO PROTEA HOTEL STELLENBOSCH AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

Rates for sharing pp incl breakfast 

Special rates for the group 

Sharing room: R1 107.50 pp 

Single Room:  R1 815

Experience the best of Stellenbosch from our hotel

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. 

 

Accommodation

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.