The BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre works to protect and restore the grasslands of southern Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Through hands-on land management, research, and engagement with landowners, we focus on keeping these landscapes functional, productive, and resilient. Our work includes monitoring threatened bird species, supporting sustainable farming practices, and laying the groundwork for the creation of new protected areas. By combining field action with practical guidance, the Centre ensures that conservation is rooted in results, not just theory.
At the BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre, we turn conservation goals into practical, on-the-ground outcomes that benefit both people and grasslands.
Landowner Engagement & Biodiversity Stewardship – We work closely with private landowners across southern Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu Natal, supporting sustainable grassland management and promoting biodiversity stewardship across working landscapes.
Species and Ecosystem Research – Our research includes monitoring Botha’s Lark populations, systematic insect trapping, and dung studies to understand ecosystem health. These studies provide critical insights into grassland functioning, guiding informed management decisions that support both biodiversity and productive landscapes.
Education and Outreach – We engage schools and rural communities, delivering hands-on conservation education that raises awareness about grasslands, local wildlife, and sustainable land management. These programs help foster the next generation of conservation champions and strengthen community support for long-term protection.
Through this combination of research, landowner collaboration, biodiversity stewardship, and community engagement, the Centre creates meaningful, lasting impact across the grassland landscape.
We partner with private landowners across southern Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu Natal to support sustainable grassland management. By demonstrating practical approaches that balance farming and conservation, we encourage biodiversity stewardship. This helps maintain healthy grasslands, protects threatened species, and ensures that conservation is integrated into working landscapes for long-term impact.
Botha’s Lark is a critically endangered species and a flagship for high-value grasslands. Monitoring its populations helps us understand habitat requirements, threats, and management needs. Combined with broader ecosystem studies, this ensures that conservation actions are evidence-based and effective for maintaining healthy grasslands.
We trap insects to monitor grassland health and ecosystem function. Our dung studies investigate the effects of veterinary pharmaceuticals used on livestock, showing how these drugs impact soil, insects, and other key ecological processes. Together, these studies guide land management practices that maintain productive farming while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.
We engage schools and rural communities through hands-on programs that raise awareness of grasslands, local wildlife, and sustainable land management. Activities include field visits, workshops, and interactive learning. These initiatives inspire the next generation of conservation champions, strengthen community support, and encourage practical actions that contribute to long-term grassland protection.
