Grootbos Foundation - Environmental and Social Development Projects
The Grootbos Foundation was established during 2004 in order to manage and implement environmental and social development projects for Grootbos in South Africa.
Our Mission
The conservation of biodiversity of Grootbos and its surrounds and development of sustainable nature based livelihoods through eco tourism, research, management and education projects.
Our Objectives
1. To conserve and restore indigenous flora and fauna and their biological communities.
2. To educate and inform local and international tourism visitors about the biological, historical and cultural heritage of the Western Cape in South Africa.
3. To promote an awareness of biodiversity value amongst local communities and develop nature based sustainable livelihoods for previously disadvantaged communities.
4. To take a leading role in conservation initiatives in the region.
Funding
Funds generated by the eco tourism business are invested through the Foundation into project implementation. In this way our guests are directly supporting biodiversity conservation and social upliftment on the Agulhas Plain. The Foundation also generates its own income through the sale of indigenous plants and landscaping services provided by the Green Futures horticultural and Life Skills College. The Foundation has also been supported by the DEG (German investment bank), the Eden Project in Cornwall as well as through donations from corporations and individuals visiting Grootbos.
Legal Status
We are a separate Section 21 Company (not for profit) with ten high profile, independent board members that form an advisory board.
Our Projects
The Foundations implementation strategy is based on three pillars: conservation, research and development of sustainable nature-based livelihoods. Environmental and social development projects are presently being implemented within each of these categories.
Here are a few of our current projects…
Sustainable harvesting of Fynbos flowers
As part of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) sustainable harvesting component, student Sandra Gernandt is exploring the impacts of harvesting on seed set and regeneration of the Pincushion Protea, Leucospermum Cordifolium. This is part of a larger environmental study project being led by the Grootbos Foundation director Sean Privett on levels of sustainability and carrying capacity of Fynbos harvesting.
The Green Futures Project
This unique social development project provides annual, practical-based training programs for unemployed people in the fields of Fynbos landscaping, horticulture and eco tourism. The project is designed to develop nature-based sustainable-livelihoods for people from local communities around Grootbos. Linked to the college is an indigenous plant nursery and Fynbos landscaping business that generates income for the Grootbos Foundation. In this way each year students are growing plants and working in landscaping and environmental projects that will help to pay for the next year’s student’s tuition. (www.greenfutures.co.za).
Siyakula Township greening project
The Grootbos Foundation assisted Green Futures graduate Nozuko Pelem to establish this project in the local township, Masakhane. Nozuko is determined to take what she learnt in the Green Futures College to the people of her community. With the aid of a local donor and land provided by the Municipality, the Grootbos Foundation has facilitated the establishment of vegetable growing and greening projects at the local crèche that aims to provide food for the children, environmental awareness to community members, Fynbos plants for sale to nurseries and the public as well as trees and flowers for greening of public areas in the township.
By booking a dream holiday at Grootbos Nature reserve, you not only get to live your dreams, but help the land and those around you achieve theirs through the Grootbos Foundation and the environmental and social development projects created.
Want to discover more? Take a look at the lodges, our activities, our gallery or book your getaway with us now.
Read our article about environmental and social development projects in South Africa to discover the benefits of the conservation and responsible tourism ventures of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
