Page 69 - Mapping the Nation: Taking Climate Action

Maps such as this are useful for strategic planning and outreach to stakeholders. Goals include reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife, especially in communities adjacent to protected areas. K2C conservationists have been working with small-scale farmers on sustainable land-use practices, responsible water management, and equitable access to water. Larger-scale commercial farmers have started to become involved, and K2C hopes to pilot projects with them in the future. Here, too, digital maps are valuable for identifying project locations and broadening awareness of conditions. Research data compiled with GIS technology can help stakeholders align with project priorities: • Working with smallholder farmers, K2C's team revitalized irrigation systems and improved farming techniques in the Sabie River catchment adjacent to Kruger National Park to foster water security. • Assisting cattle owners on the Dinkwanyane Water Smart Project enhanced sustainable land-use practices on rangelands and strengthened long-term social and ecological benefits. • Educating the public on better sanitation practices in the Blyde River catchment provides safer drinking water for people and wildlife. More recently, a methodology called Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) has taken K2C's work in a new direction. Through the K2C Catchment Investment Program, the team encourages businesses to invest in nature-based solutions for water resource management and disaster risk reduction. Natural solutions have the added benefit of reducing the need for implementing water purification or pumping water through pipelines. Instead, nature does this work as people focus on restoring ecosystems. Partners on this effort include The Nature Conservancy, Pegasys, Conservation International, and Conservation South Africa. "From a business perspective, if you invest a certain amount of money into the catchments, you are going to be saving money in the longer term, which builds additional levels of sustainability," Theron said. "Projects that we are building benefit the whole landscape and the local economy." The K2C team members will tell you their work—whether in research and data science, outreach and education, or on-the-ground intervention—is far from glamorous. Yet they are committed to supporting and promoting balanced and sustainable social and economic development. In the process, they are also working to address inequality, poverty, and climate change. "It's grinding work," said Wehncke Van der Merwe, K2C's buffer zone coordinator. "It takes years and years to get it right because you're working with people and setting up governance systems and changing perspectives and understanding. And it's working within fields with a lot of nuances. People aren't always that keen on this unsexy stuff. They love to hear about saving a wild dog from a snare, but the more important thing is to have more habitat for the wild dog to roam in." 68 Drought