NW Province - The Marico Biospere Reserve

ARZA's Co-operation and Cross-Cultural Commitments Combine for Conservation

Since 2010 A Rocha South Africa has co-ordinated efforts to unite landowners and local communities in a 30 000 hectare area of the Marico River catchment near the town of Groot Marico for the establishment of the Marico Biosphere Reserve. Steve Weaver, ARZA's CEO and Conservation Scientist was chosen by stakeholders in the region to draft and oversee the application to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Biodivesity Stewardship Programme to establish this reserve. Stakeholders include the Marico Catchment Conservancy Association, the Madikwe Rural Development Programme, Southern Cross Missions and Onkarabile Foundation. The application for registration as a biosphere reserve comes after considerable struggles last year to stave off attempts to prospect in the area. A Rocha's application on behalf of the community stakeholders presents the high biodiversity value of the catchment area, including its unique dolomitic eyes, its status as the second highest area of avian biodiversity in South Africa, and its potential for sustainable community development through eco-tourism and conservation agriculture.

Environmental Education Programmes at Vergenoegd

A Rocha's Partnership with Daan and Beatrice Van der Merwe of Southern Cross Missions on their farm at Vergenoegd enable us to offer environmental education programmes based on wilderness learning principles to learners from high schools around Groot Marico, and for children at risk attending Southern Cross Missions Programmes. In the near future we hope to commence conservation agriculture training for sustainable communities and environmental education training for teachers. Volunteer environmental education posts will be advertised for these programmes from time to time.

Conservation Research Opportunities

Once the Marico Biosphere Reserve becomes a reality A Rocha South Africa will be glad to welcome conservation science graduates who wish to further their studies at Groot Marico. If you have and enquiry in this regard please write to south.africa@arocha.org