Southern Mpumalanga Grasslands Conservation

In 2024, the BirdLife South Africa Board resolved to reposition the Wakkerstroom Centre from a facility primarily focused on avitourism to a dedicated hub for conservation, research, education and stewardship. This strategic shift recognised both the growing conservation importance of the Highveld grasslands and the opportunity for BirdLife South Africa to establish a permanent operational base within one of the country’s most threatened ecosystems.  

Since then, substantial progress has been made towards achieving this vision. Key developments have included the appointment of additional staff, the conversion of dormitory rooms into office space, improvements to security infrastructure, upgrades to staff accommodation, improved grassland management, and the establishment of partnerships with landowners, conservation organisations and government stakeholders throughout the region.  

The Centre has also undergone a change in identity and purpose, becoming the BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre. This name better reflects the Centre’s role as a focal point for conservation action, species recovery, stewardship implementation, ecological research, environmental education and community engagement.  

The Centre will provide a permanent base from which BirdLife South Africa can coordinate conservation action, conduct research, engage with landowners and communities, support stewardship initiatives and deliver environmental education programmes throughout the Highveld Grasslands.  

To achieve this aim, the Centre fulfils the following functions:  

• Provide a safe, productive and professional working environment for BirdLife South Africa staff. 
• Provide accommodation for permanent staff, visiting researchers, students, interns and conservation practitioners. 
• Support ecological research, biodiversity monitoring and long-term conservation projects. 
• Provide facilities for workshops, meetings, conferences and training events. 
• Act as a centre for environmental education and public engagement. 
• Serve as a resource centre for landowners seeking information on sustainable grassland management, grazing systems, fire management and biodiversity stewardship. 
• Support species recovery initiatives and conservation interventions where required. 
• Provide laboratory, sample storage and data management facilities to support research activities. 
•  Facilitate collaboration between BirdLife South Africa, government agencies, universities, NGOs, agricultural organisations and local communities. 
•  Demonstrate practical conservation solutions through indigenous landscaping, sustainable infrastructure and responsible land management practices. 

Ultimately, the Centre will become a flagship conservation facility that reflects BirdLife South Africa’s commitment to science-based conservation, environmental stewardship and community engagement.  

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.

Blue Cranes © Rachel Gemmell

Post-Proclamation Support 

Several Nature Reserves and Protected Environments have been declared in the Southern Mpumalanga area. These include sites such as the KwaMadlangampisi and Mabola Protected Environments. We are providing post-proclamation support to the landowners by demonstrating practical approaches that balance farming and conservation. This helps maintain healthy grasslands, protects threatened species, and ensures that conservation is integrated into working landscapes for long-term impact. We also support the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) with the implementation of the various management plans and comment on Environmental Impact Assessments that impact these areas.  

Proclamation of new areas 

In addition, we are in the process of obtaining the necessary support to declare the Hoëveld Protected Environment. If successful, this project will add over 30,000 ha to the conservation estate. It will also protect critical habitat for species such as Botha’s Lark, cranes, waterbirds and many other threatened species. We have the full support from the MTPA to declare this area and site assessments and the legal processes will commence in October 2026.  

High-altitude grasslands in South Africa are biodiversity-rich systems that support a range of habitat-specialist bird species, yet they are under sustained pressure from agricultural expansion, altered grazing regimes, infrastructure development and climate variability. Large areas have already been transformed, and remaining grasslands are often fragmented or degraded, with direct consequences for species persistence. Declines in grassland birds are well documented globally and are typically linked to habitat modification, altered disturbance regimes and broader environmental pressures. However, habitat loss alone does not adequately explain current patterns of decline, particularly where species continue to decrease within areas that remain structurally intact. This suggests that additional ecological constraints are operating within apparently suitable habitat. Some of these constraints include the impact of veterinary pharmaceuticals.  

Through our insect and dung studies we 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, together with the Empowering People Programme, with 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.