No. 8 August 2011

www.dry-net.org News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

Drynet is a project of 14 organisations from all over the world. They work together to combat land degradation

Welcome back to News from Drynet, national Adaptation Network, which CONTENT the newsletter of the international has been contributing to developing Drynet network. Over the past 5 years appropriate national policies to support Editorial 1/2 Drynet has been active both locally and local communities to adapt to the Launch of the second phase of internationally, promoting sustainable changing climate. Drynet 2 land management and livelihoods in The 2011 Arid Zone Ecology many countries in the context of the We also introduce SynBioSys , a Forum 2/3 United Nations Conventions on climate, fantastic piece of free software that is biodiversity and desertification. After a must for all botanists, land managers, Changing floodplain form in the a silence of 18 months our newsletter conservationists and scientists working in Baviaanskloof 3/4 is back in circulation, and we aim to the Fynbos, as well as being a great tool Introduction to the GEF Small bring you relevant, interesting news on for scholars, students and others who are Grants Programme 5 developments in the sector. curious about the Fynbos. SynBioSys Fynbos: a powerful tool for conservation 6 In this edition you can read about on- Following on a successful CAPE Partners going research in the Baviaanskloof that Conference in June this year, SANBI The Adaptation Network 6/7 is intended to inform future planning and its Succulent Karroo Ecosystem What exactly is Desertification? 7 and action to restore a highly degraded Programme (SKEP) will host the SKEP The Drylands Fund: An Innovative river that is unfortunately representative Partners Conference in Van Rhynsdorp in Initiative for sustaining of a much wider problem. The article September. SANBI is again demonstrating ’s Drylands 8/9 gives insight into how the situation its commitment to co-operative Forthcoming events 9 came about, and explains how current governance and participation by the research can inform planning processes wider community in conservation efforts: to promote restoration. visit SKEP’s website and register for what promises to be a stimulating event in the The second phase of Drynet was heart of succulent country. launched in Bolivia in January this year, and we report on the launch meeting Each year scientists, students, held in Bolivia. Drynet exists to serve conservationists, land managers and civil society in its efforts to effectively practitioners working or living in South promote sustainable land management Africa’s Drylands gather at a unique forum and to combat desertification, and we to share their latest findings and insights, invite you to let us know if there are and to network with one another. This any services that you would like us to year the Arid Zone Ecology Forum will be provide you with. held in Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, the global hotspot for geophyte Towards the end of 2011 South Africa biodiversity. Not only does this promise to will host the 17th Conference of the be a stimulating conference, but the local Parties of the UNFCCC, and in this issue environment offers a wealth of unique you can read about the genesis of our biodiversity for the visitor. >> 1 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

Editorial Launch of the second phase of Drynet continued The first Drynet programme concluded phase of collaboration, and agreed to >> Community members and practitioners its funded activities in 2009. The three- establish an Advisory Board for Drynet. often bewail the lack of resources for year networking and capacity building sustainable land management: in this initiative aimed to strengthen the voices The meeting was followed by a two- edition we showcase the GEF Small of local dryland communities through day training entitled ‘Drynet: Effectively Grants Programme, the global pioneer their organisations and was financed sharing experiences across cultures’, of putting necessary resources in the by the European Union, the Global presented by Jitske Kramer. hands of local communities, and also Mechanism and the project partners introduce a brand new South African themselves. However, our members More information on this programme, offering, the Dryland Fund, a joint continued to link and work together which is financially supported by the venture of DBSA and the Department following the conclusion of this period Swiss Development Cooperation, can be of Environmental Affairs that is steered of funded activities. By involving civil found on the Drynet website at http:// by members of civil society and will also society groups in local and national www.dry-net.org/ place resources where they are most development and planning processes, needed: on the ground! Drynet has successfully built a foundation You can also visit the South African page for civil society across the world to of Drynet to access discussion papers Enjoy this edition of our newsletter, and strengthen its position in the struggle to and resources at http://www.dry-net.org/ please contact us if you would like to sustainably manage drylands. index.php?page=8_4 give us any feedback, or place articles or notices in the next edition: In January this year the launch meeting of a further funded phase of Drynet Drynet Project Manager: Noel Oettlé, activities took place in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Environmental Monitoring Group, hosted by the Bolivian Drynet partner South Africa PROBIOMA. The meeting was financed by the Swiss Development Cooperation E mail: [email protected] (SDC). Translation was provided for Website: http://www.dry-net.org/ English, French and Spanish, so that all participants were able to follow Telephone: +27 (0)27 218 1117 discussions in detail. The participants Participants at the launch of the second phase Cell: +27 (0)83 693 8676 established a Steering Committee for this of Drynet.

Dry but Diverse: The Arid Zone Ecology Forum in Nieuwoudtville

The upcoming Arid Zone Ecology Forum multitude of sectors, including research, This year the conference takes place on (AZEF) conference is to be held in the conservation, management, agriculture the Bokkeveld Plateau, home to a diverse Northern Cape village of Nieuwoudtville and social science. array of people, plants, insects and this year, and promises to be an ecosystems, and as such, the theme for exciting and interactive event. AZEF is AZEF’s vision is to facilitate information this year’s conference is apt -“Interactions a forum for people who live, work and transfer and develop a network of in the Arid Zone”. Nieuwoudtville is do research in the arid zone, and the expertise which integrates insight, an international hotspot of geophyte annual AZEF conference provides an information and problems of resource (bulb plant) diversity and during the excellent opportunity for a wide range managers with those of researchers and conference time in October will also be of researchers and practitioners to meet educators. The enthusiastic support of a hotspot of research and collaboration! and share information. The conference members and funding support from NRF, The conference will be held from usually attracts more than 100 delegates SAEON and BIOTA have enabled AZEF 3rd to 6th October and will include from across the country and from to foster multi-disciplinary and multi- speakers such as Dr Justin O’Riain from abroad, and includes people active in a institutional research partnerships. the University of Cape Town, Quinton >> 2 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

>> Martins (leopard researcher) and Sarah Frazee, Director of Conservation South Africa. There will be some great conference fieldtrips this year, including trips led by experts to the succulents of the Knersvlakte, to the exciting socio-ecological work in the Avontuur Conservation Area, the treasure trove of diversity that is the Hantam National Botanical Gardens (formerly the farm Glenlyon), excursions to the famous Kokerboom Forest, and possibly even an evening of porcupine-perusal!

AZEF is a very student-friendly scientific forum, providing an easily accessible platform for younger researchers to share their ideas and get constructive feedback. This year several sponsorships are available for student attendance, which will cover 25-100% of students’ registration, accommodation and transport costs. All interested researchers, managers, farmers, students and others interested in arid Please contact the AZEF Secretariat via an Please visit the AZEF website zones are invited to join this year’s Forum email to Wendy Paisley at azef.sa@gmail. (www.azef.co.za) to access current news in Nieuwoudtville. Anyone doing relevant com if you would like to see the First and from the arid zone. work in the drylands is invited to attend Second Announcements, or even if you and learn from others, and to present their would simply like to become part of the By Christy Bragg, AZEF Treasurer own work and research if possible. Arid Zone Ecology Forum.

Changing floodplain form in a dryland river system: the case of the Baviaanskloof, , South Africa

Southern African dryland rivers Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, The case of the Baviaanskloof Many southern Africa rivers have almost half of the rivers and wetlands The Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape extensive wetland areas in their in southern Africa have been modified of South Africa (Figure 1) is a steep, floodplains which are of great and a significant proportion has been mountainous dryland river system importance for securing water irreversibly degraded. A degraded characterised by infrequent (episodic) resources, not least because this wetland can be recognised by erosional flood flows and a coarse cobble to region experiences mean annual features such as gullies (dongas), incised boulder river bed (Picture 1), attesting moisture deficits owing to high channels, and man-made features such to the high energy nature of the system. evapotranspiration losses and low as canals, drainage furrows and dams. The river is bounded by two parallel rainfall, together with high variability in These features alter natural water flow mountain ranges, the Baviaanskloof to rainfall in time and space. and sediment regimes, reducing the the north and the Kouga to the south frequency and extent of flooding of (see Figure 1), which form part of the Many of these wetlands have been wetland areas adjacent to river channels, Baviaanskloof Megareserve, a large degraded, and no longer function as ultimately leading to wetland desiccation. (> 500 000 ha) conservation area. In the sponges that, in the past, ensured This has implications for water security recognition of its high ecological and steady water supply in dry times in southern Africa and the resilience biological diversity and rich cultural and lessened the impact of floods. of the region to stresses induced by heritage has been granted World According to the 2004 Southern African anthropogenic climate change. Heritage status. >> 3 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

>> The Baviaanskloof River and floodplain through building of earthen berms has been influenced by pastoral and alongside river channels to protect crop farming activities along the drainage furrows and agricultural upper middle to middle reaches of the lands from flooding damage. Following catchment, which began with European this period, local farmers observed settlement over 100 years ago. Issues progressive widening and deepening arising from farming activities that of the Baviaanskloof River and tributary affect the river include overgrazing and streams during four successive flood decreased vegetation cover on hillslopes, events which occurred in 1981, 1984, modification of stream channels and the 1996 and 2009. Figure 1: The Baviaanskloof Conservation Area floodplain by farmers through features falls within the western part of the Eastern such as earthen berms and drainage Understanding drivers of change Cape of South Africa and comprises two parallel mountain ranges, the Baviaanskloof to furrows, and abstraction of significant It appears that recent changes in river the north and the Kouga to the south between amounts of groundwater (Figure 2). and floodplain form and wetland which the Baviaanskloof River is bounded desiccation in the Baviaanskloof is (redrawn from Boshoff et al., 2000). Changes in river and floodplain form a result of a combination of human Along the upper middle to middle (river and floodplain engineering reaches the Baviaanskloof, the river has activities) and natural factors (large deeply incised valley floor alluvium floods events associated with variable resulting in floodplain abandonment rainfall regimes). Understanding the and wetland desiccation, as land hydrological and sedimentary processes adjacent to the channel no longer and key factors governing change Picture 1: The Baviaanskloof River bed showing coarse cobble to boulder bedload sediments receives frequent or prolonged flooding within the Baviaanskloof is important (Picture 3). This has reduced the for understanding the sensitivity of capacity of the river and floodplain to the system and other dryland rivers retain water for prolonged periods and in southern Africa to disturbances provide sustained water yields, and has associated with natural factors (e.g. negatively impacted on livelihoods of rainfall variations associated with local and downstream water users. Old climate change) and human activities. wetland soils, evidenced by dark, organic This knowledge will contribute toward rich sedimentary layers, have become planning environmentally sensitive river Figure 2: The upper middle reaches of the exposed in the cut-banks (Picture and floodplain restoration strategies, Baviaanskloof catchment showing the main river 4) indicating the former existence promoting sustainable development and tributary stream alluvial fans, and the location of of semi-permanent to permanent within dryland river systems. human interventions along the river and floodplain floodplain wetland conditions along the Baviaanskloof River floodplain. The growing populations of cities and towns downstream of the Baviaanskloof According to local farmers, channel will require ever-more water, and incision and floodplain wetland climate change predictions forecast desiccation has occurred recently more extreme weather events like (over the last approximately 30 years). droughts and floods. Unless degraded The drivers of river and floodplain river systems are allowed to heal, Picture 3: A steep cut-bank along the Baviaanskloof change and wetland desiccation in they will continue to degrade, wash River floodplain as a result of strong channel the Baviaanskloof are currently not away more valuable land and provide downcutting. well enough understood. However, ever less water in the dryer times. river and floodplain changes appear Understanding the causes and effects of to coincide with the timing of several this degradation is the first step in the large and recent flood events within the process of healing. catchment, together with the timing of river and floodplain engineering Rebecca Joubert 1 activities by farmers. For instance, during the early 1980’s intensive modifications to the main river, tributary 1 Department of Environmental Science, Picture 4: A cut-bank along the Baviaanskloof streams and the floodplain occurred Rhodes University, Grahamstown River indicating exposed wetland sediments characterised by organic rich – peat layers. 4 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

Introduction to the GEF Small Grants Programme

Established in 1992, the year of 1. Improve sustainability of protected carbon stocks in forests and non- the Rio Earth Summit, the Small areas and indigenous and community forest lands, including peatland. Grants Programme (SGP) of the conservation areas through community Global Environmental Facility (GEF) , based actions, including: 4. Maintain or improve flow of agro- implemented by the UNDP, embodies the • Improved community-level actions ecosystem and forest ecosystem very essence of sustainable development and practices, and reduced negative services to sustain livelihoods of local by thinking globally and acting locally. impacts on biodiversity resources populations by: SGP channels financial and technical in and around protected areas, • Improved community-level actions support directly to local civil society and indigenous and community and practices, and reduced negative organizations (Non-Governmental and conservation areas. impacts on agro, and forest Community Based Organizations) for • Benefits generated at the community ecosystems and ecosystem services projects or interventions that conserve level from conservation of demonstrated to sustain ecosystem and restore the environment while biodiversity in and around protected functionality. enhancing people’s well-being and areas and indigenous and community • Community-based models of livelihoods. SGP demonstrates that conservation areas. sustainable forestry management community action can maintain the fine • Increased recognition and integration developed, and tested, linked to balance between human needs and of indigenous and community carbon sequestration for possible environmental imperatives. Furthermore conservation areas in national up scaling and replication where SGP offers fast, effective and flexible grant protected area systems . appropriate, to reduce GHG emissions delivery mechanisms to the civil society • Increased understanding and from deforestation and forest organizations. awareness at the community level degradation and enhance carbon of the importance and value of sinks from land use, land use change, Since its inception, SGP has confronted biodiversity. and forestry activities. very real challenges in working with communities to reconcile global 2. Mainstream biodiversity 5. Reduce pressures at community level environmental priorities with local conservation and sustainable use into from competing land uses (in the wider community needs - challenges that the production landscapes, seascapes landscapes) by means of improved have been met in different ways across and sectors through community community-level actions and practices, the globe depending on particular initiatives and actions that will result in: and reduced negative impacts in land economic, cultural, political and • Improved community level use frontiers of agro-ecosystems and environmental conditions. In the process, sustainable use of biodiversity in forest ecosystems and ecosystem SGP became “the people’s GEF”. production landscapes/seascapes services demonstrated to sustain through community based initiatives , ecosystem functionality. The Small Grants programme aims to frameworks and market mechanisms, deliver global environmental benefits including recognized environmental Project proposals that are well aligned in the GEF focal areas of biodiversity standards that incorporate with the above objectives may be conservation, climate change biodiversity considerations submitted to the SGP for consideration. adaptation and mitigation, protection of • Increased understanding and For more information on the international waters, prevention of land awareness of sustainable use of requirements for proposals, please visit degradation (primarily desertification biodiversity. our website: http://sgp.undp.org and deforestation) , elimination of persistent organic pollutants through 3. Support the conservation and For more information, contact community based approaches. enhancement of carbon stocks through Khathutshelo Neluheni, sustainable management and climate National Coordinator, During the Global Environmental Facility’s proofing of land use, land use change GEF Small Grants programme, SA current Operational Phase V (GEF 5 – and forestry, by means of: Tel: +27(0) 12 354 8166, 2010 to 2014), SGP South Africa will • Sustainable land use, and forestry Fax: +27(0) 12 354 8058/9, focus on the 3 focal areas pertaining to management and climate proofing Email: [email protected] land management, namely biodiversity practices adopted at the community Address: UNDP/GEF-SGP South Africa; conservation, climate change abatement level for forest and non-forest land 351 Schoeman Street, P.O. Box 6451, and prevention of land degradation . SGP use types. Pretoria, 0001, South Africa SA has identified the following objectives: • Restoration and enhancement of Web: http://www.undp.org.za 5 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

SynBioSys Fynbos: a powerful tool for conservation

After 3 years of development in (http://www.synbiosysfynbos.org/ ) and and the governments of South Africa collaborative partnership between using the link that will be mailed to you. and the Netherlands. The system South African and Dutch institutions, SynBioSys Fynbos is freely available was tested by many practitioners SynBioSys Fynbos was launched in to all users. It was developed by whose feedback has resulted in a June at the this year’s Fynbos Forum in Alterra, EMG and Indigo development comprehensive, user-friendly and Still Bay, where it was warmly received & change, and reflects a dynamic glitch-free system: thanks to all who by scientists, consultants and amateur partnership between academia, NGOs provided feedback! conservationists. This free software makes use of data housed in the databanks of SANBI and elsewhere and enables users to view and analyse it in a number of ways, not least spatially by means of a built-in GIS programme which links to Google Earth.

The system presents a vast amount of factual and spatial information in a simple and user friendly GIS platform which can be operated without purchasing expensive GIS software and hardware. As such it puts a powerful tool in the hands of anyone with access to a computer. This tool can be used to gain deeper insights into the complex interactions between different components of the Fynbos biome and to plan land management and conservation strategies on the basis of up-to-date, state-of-the-art data.

SynBioSys Fynbos contains a general section and specialised modules. The general section of the information The Adaptation Network: a forum for system deals with the Fynbos and allied ecosystems in the Cape Floristic Region. sharing resources and knowledge about The rooibos module focuses on the position of wild rooibos (Aspalathus successful adaptation to climate change linearis) within the Fynbos biome and its sustainable management Researchers and practitioners who at the 2009 National Climate Change for tea production. Currently under work with communities that are Summit expressed the view that there development is a Baviaanskloof module. consciously adapting to climatic would be value in networking to link change have unique opportunities up those engaged in and working In addition, other offerings include to gain insights into the challenges on issues relating to climate change information on conservation initiatives experienced by people on the grass- adaptation. in the fynbos, a comprehensive listing roots level, as well as the emerging of relevant literature (including many strategies that people have evolved The conference further emphasized abstracts), complete papers and and put into practice. All too often the importance of focused presentations, a multimedia section and these insights are not widely shared, coordination for national climate a map service. and we lack opportunities to change adaptation work. Many explore their complexity in a free yet delegates expressed the need for The software can be downloaded for rigorous way. In response to these a platform where those involved in free by registering on the website shortcomings, many of those present adaptation work can share experiences >> 6 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

>> and practical approaches, and explore the relative value of theoretical frameworks and methodologies that can add value to national and international policy processes. Thus, the concept of a creative adaptation platform emerged. Since then the Network has been active in many spheres, including providing co- ordinated input into the South African governments’ climate change policy development process earlier this year.

In May this year Adaptation Network members met in Limpopo for the fourth general meeting and plans are in train to promote effective measures for community based adaptation at COP 17 in Durban at the end of the year.

Membership is open to all working or interested in community based adaptation, who subscribe to the values and objectives of The Adaptation Network.

To join the Network, visit the website at http://www.adaptationnetwork.org.za Adaptation Network members in Limpopo May 2011

What exactly is Desertification?

Desertification (as defined by the It also causes human poverty as ecosystem services impacts on United Nations) refers to land natural resources dwindle and as the health of landscapes and degradation in arid, semi-arid and climate change impacts take a hold. human well-being, and undermines dry sub-humid areas – these zones Land degradation is viewed by the the sustainability of the economic currently cover over 91% of South Fund as the persistent decrease system. Africa and as such the Dryland Fund in the supply of ecosystem goods is established to service all areas in and services as a result of change Sustainable land management South Africa. in soil or vegetation, and also is the object to be achieved in includes deforestation and the combating land degradation Desertification is not about the effects of drought. Land, as defined and the effects of drought; spread of deserts; it is about in the United Nations Convention sustainable land management impoverishment of the land in on Desertification, means the means the integrated process of many ways and is the main form terrestrial bio-productive system improving land management while of environmental degradation in that comprises soil, vegetation, alleviating poverty, promoting moist rural areas of South Africa. It other biota and the ecological and local development, and sustaining is caused by climate change, human hydrological processes that operate the flow of ecosystem goods and poverty, poor planning and greed. within the system. Failure to address services from the land.

7 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

>> The Drylands Fund: An innovative initiative for sustaining South Africa’s Drylands

The establishment of a Drylands Fund 1, under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been a collective effort by all sectors of society (business, government and civil society sectors) to significantly scale up efforts to address environmental degradation and rural poverty across South Africa and avoid unprecedented scales of human suffering. The Fund was formally operationalised in January 2011.

The Drylands Fund is run by a Steering Committee made up of representatives of business, civil society and government. The Fund is housed as an Agency in the Development Bank of South Africa. It is and Alleviate Poverty. The Fund intends to initiatives evolve. It was created because primarily a pro-poor rural development work closely with a National Coordinating NGOs, government and civil society were fund, grounded in the Convention to Body for the implementation of the all experiencing the need for strengthening Combat Desertification (UNCCD), closely Convention on Desertification, once this is partnerships to address the severe and linked to the Convention on Climate established by DEA. critical limitations in existing financial Change and to the Convention on resources, financial mechanisms and Biodiversity. The Funds was established The Fund has been created to be a flexible funding flows in areas of greatest need to help implement the Sustainable financial vehicle that can move rapidly regarding combating environmental Development Strategy and the National to provide resources at a local level and degradation and rural poverty. Action Plan to Combat Desertification plug gaps as and when they arise as key The Fund operates across a complex dynamic field of: policy, legislation, The key objectives of the Fund are: planning, science, technology, and skills development. The Fund will contribute to • Be a key partnership vehicle to and upscale investment in natural strengthening institutional partnerships, mobilize international finance resource management and poverty strategically and systematically and private sector finance in the alleviation. To provide opportunities intervening and scaling up investments implementation the UNCCD and for the nurturing, testing and then in sustainable land use management related conventions on climate change rolling out the application of creative practices addressing market failures and biodiversity. finance mechanisms such as for and institutional barriers. It will promote • Direct funds at low transaction costs example: carbon tax funds; REDD Plus; sustainable green investments, job supporting partnerships, processes and carbon trading; payment for ecosystem creation and adaptation to and mitigation organizations to deepen and widen services; offset agreements, and of climate change. It is designed to span engagement in solutions to poverty watershed service agreements etc local to national interventions, promoting alleviation and land degradation. • To ensure simplicity, transparency, a suite of appropriate approaches to (focus on promoting sustainable facilitating partnerships that specialize rural development and tools such as land use management practices in donor and investor money reaching payment for ecosystem services, offset and and building more healthy resilient, the intended beneficiaries with easements amongst others. As such the robust ecosystems and communities minimum take off in the process, Fund will support for example, initiatives empowered through a green without sacrificing quality of service relating to food security, environmental economy). and development impact and ensuring restoration, ecological agriculture, green • Provide opportunities for Governments, social justice/benefit sharing in process 1 The Drylands Fund is short for The NGOs and Business sectors to partner as well as in development impact. Rehabilitating Drylands for Poverty Alleviation Account >> 8 News from Drynet A global initiative giving future to drylands

>> infrastructure, pro-poor rural socio- economic investments and private sector Fixed Core Criteria for selecting initiatives investments through for example the development of green markets (carbon, soil, • Partnerships are key to project following additional criteria will be water and biodiversity). The Fund impacts success applied: on most of the presidential outcomes and • Environmental management is • Ideal to demonstrate Fund potential particularly outcome 10, which is concerned of strategic importance from a in order to solicit further funding with natural resource management. biodiversity, sustainable land • Meets specific donor expectations use management and or health and any additional criteria required The Fund has been widely discussed and perspective by specific donor collectively designed by NGOs, business • The Initiative addresses key poverty • Risks of failure are relatively small and government departments in a series issues and helps to alleviate poverty • The initiative will likely yield a of milestones spanning the last 5 years, tangible and short term benefit and involving private sector studies and Additional Criteria for 6 month test impact national steering committee meetings period: • The initiative will help the Fund and workshops. DEA and DBSA have to develop its strategy, policy and committed R6.5m to finance the minimal • The Fund will develop additional priority focal areas operational and investment costs of the more specific criteria for various • For DBSA sponsored initiatives, the Fund over its first three year start up lines of credit and donor funds at projects will demonstrate the value period. The Fund is now in its first year of the request of donors and investors. of the Fund to DBSA business operation and is currently undergoing an For the DBSA and DEA funds for the intensive fund raising drive so it can build first 6 month test run period, the sufficient financial resources before it openly advertises for project applications. An application for funding from the GEF for R100m is in process. Forthcoming events: In January 2011, the Fund was approached for support to a biodiversity/carbon market initiative for the Spekboom Thicket Restoration Initiative for the Addo Elephant 27 – 29 September 2011: 3rd to 6th October 2011: Park, Fish River Reserve and Baviaanskloof Succulent Ecosystem Arid Zone Ecology Forum (AZEF), Reserve. This project promises to be Programme (SKEP) Partners Nieuwoudtville, South Africa. a breakthrough initiative for rural Conference, Website: www.azef.co.za development in South Africa. The Thicket Masibambane Multi-Purpose Restoration Programme, which aimed to Community Centre, Van Rhynsdorp, 10 – 21 October 2011: raise R120m in carbon credits, was housed South Africa. Tenth Conference of the Parties to as a separate Agency in the DBSA, whilst Website: www.skep.org.za the UNCCD (UNCCD COP 10). the legal and procedural issues involved in Changwon Convention Centre, the Drylands Fund were being reviewed 1st – 7th October 2011: Changwon, Korea. and revised by DEA with support from the The Sixteenth Session of the Ad Website: www.unccd.int Drylands Fund Steering Committee. Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties 28 November – 9 December 2011: Pressure is now on the Fund to start under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP Seventeenth Conference of the Parties performing and delivering on its promise 16) and the Fourteenth Session of to the UNFCCC (UNFCCC COP 17). to raise funds and support development the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long- Durban International Conference agents working in rural areas. The Drylands term Cooperative Action under the Centre, Durban, South Africa. Fund aims to invest R1m over the next six Convention (AWG-LCA 14), Website: unfccc.int months whilst it focuses primarily on its fund Centro de Convenciones ATLAPA, raising drive. As and when financial resources Panama City, Panama. come on stream, so public invitations for Website: unfccc.int applications will be announced.

Julie Clarke 9