Over the past decade, the Northern Cape Land Project has facilitated the creation of five new nature reserves and one protected environment in the Succulent Karoo biome as well as other reserves in development.

This initiative, led by Wilderness Foundation Africa, with funding from WWF South Africa's Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust (LHSKT), recently celebrated its achievements in Namaqualand, a region known for its biodiversity and stunning landscapes.

The project’s success is largely due to collaboration with landowners who entered into stewardship agreements, maintaining ownership of their land while managing it for conservation purposes. These partnerships have enabled the establishment of new reserves and protected environments, preserving critical ecosystems and contributing to South Africa’s conservation targets.

Key partners (including SANParks, the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform and Conservation South Africa) have been instrumental in expanding protected areas. The project also supports the national commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework aiming to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine environments by 2030.

Francois van der Merwe, chair of the LHSKT, emphasised the urgent need for conservation in the face of climate change, plant poaching and mining threats. The new reserves help secure ecological corridors and maintain the integrity of the Succulent Karoo’s unique biodiversity.

Although 22 243 hectares await formal protection, ongoing efforts to declare additional reserves and protected environments are expected to add up to 70 000 hectares to South Africa’s protected area network. This work reflects commitment to preserving the natural environment for future generations while supporting sustainable land use practices.