WWF-SA, in conjunction with SANBI’s Grasslands Programme and UKZN’s School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, wants to explore the link between agricultural good management practices for animal production systems on natural grasslands and biodiversity conservation [Note: the focus is on grasslands and NOT on savannah systems].

The format of the workshop will be a limited number of presentations followed by inter-active discussions to unpack the title of the workshop; the ultimate objective being to provide recommendations on ‘models for a multi-disciplinary collaborative approach on NRM.

A new generation of young scientists has entered the field of grassland science, but with little guidance on research priorities for the future, many current research projects are fragmented, poorly designed or unoriginal. Some issues identified decades ago have yet to be adequately resolved, while there is also a whole suite of new questions and challenges for the new generation to answer.

South Africa has traditionally addressed growing water security issues through the implementation of costly supply-side interventions, such as major inter-basin transfer and pumping schemes, and importing water from neighbouring countries. However, due to growing costs associated with these measures, and, critically, limited surplus water availability, the potential for supply-side interventions to address water security concerns is approaching capacity.

We kindly invite you to submit your titles within the framework provided below. This framework serves as a guideline for you as the author to align your topic of your paper accordingly.

The Department of Agriculture identified the need for a new National Long Term Grazing Capacity Map. The current 1993 map has various shortcomings and did not provide values for the previous homeland areas. A national steering committee has been appointed to take the lead in developing a new Long Term Grazing Capacity Map for South Africa.

The main theme is Meeting Rangeland, Pasture and Wildlife Challenges in a Changing Landscape although a wide range of themes will be covered during the Congress.