!Khwa ttu - Conserving biological diversity

The buffer zone of South Africa’s West Coast National Park is home to a globally unique but endangered biodiversity. To address habitat loss in the fragmented region, the project created the conditions for !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre’s 850 ha farm to become legally proclaimed as a Protected Environment. To address habitat degradation, a pilot for ecosystem restoration has been implemented. Indigenous San living on the farm have extraordinary knowledge about plants, their uses and related livelihood opportunities. This knowledge was integrated into restoration activities and the development of learning tools. Young San from several countries did six months internships at the center and were trained to become young ambassadors for biodiversity in their home communities. Approaches for biodiversity conservation were also showcased for other landowners to promote expansion of the protected area in the 60km West Coast Biodiversity Corridor.