Cause Index

Upland Conservation NPC

Activities and operations
1) The goals and activities of Upland Conservation are the promotion and support of sustainable grassland conservation and eco system services which result in greater areas of land being rehabilitated, conserved and set aside as wild habitat
Ecosystem Services are commonly defined as benefits people obtain from ecosystems. The United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment – categorises ecosystem services as: Provisioning Services or the provision of food, fresh water, fuel, fibre, and other goods; Regulating Services such as climate, water, and disease regulation as well as pollination; Supporting Services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling; and Cultural Services such as educational, aesthetic, and cultural heritage values as well as recreation and tourism.
As population, income, and consumption levels increase, humans put more and more pressure on the natural environment to deliver these benefits. The 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, prepared by a group of international experts, found that most ecosystem services assessed globally are either degraded or being used unsustainably. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment scientists predicted that ecosystem degradation could grow significantly worse in the 21st century, with important consequences to human well-being.
Climate change, pollution, exploitation, and land-use change are some of the drivers of ecosystem loss, as well as resource challenges associated with globalization and urbanization. Land use change is an immediate issue. South Africa is experiencing a loss of open space and a decline in grassland health and biodiversity, particularly on private lands. The loss of healthy grasslands directly affects landowners, rural communities, and the economy. As private lands are developed, we also lose the life-supporting ecosystem services that grasslands provide.
Regulations, land acquisitions and conservation initiatives are some of the conservation approaches that aim to protect and conserve grasslands. Traditional conservation programs, however, may not be enough to safeguard natural landscapes and biodiversity, and traditional markets may not provide landowners with a sufficient economic incentive to own and sustainably manage grasslands. To reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystem services, economic and financial motivations must include a conservation objective, and the value of ecosystem services needs to be incorporated into any decision making.
The grassveld biome is one of the most threatened in South Africa. Upland Conservation utilises a targeted approach that includes the use of GIS data, data and indicator species from the South African Bird Atlas project (SABAP2) and other data from government to identify areas of land that require appropriate management to further the conservation of the grassveld biome and eco system services.
Specific Landowners are then identified and approached with a view to conserving and utilising their grasslands. The existing land use is categorised in terms of its veld assessment; grass cover and grass species composition as well as its gamebird populations.
A specific management plan that incorporates appropriate burning, grazing and utilisation for wing shooting is suggested. Follow up includes ongoing veld condition assessments, game bird counts as well as grassland composition. As outlined above the benefits of eco system services are extensive. As outlined in the SARS 9th Schedule; Public Benefit Activities (section30) the workings of Upland conservation trust fulfil the criteria for a PBO on the following grounds : CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE 7. (a) Engaging in the conservation, rehabilitation or protection of the natural environment, including flora, fauna or the biosphere. (b) The care of animals, including the rehabilitation, or prevention of the ill-treatment of animals. (c) The promotion of, and education and training programmes relating to, environmental awareness, greening, clean-up or sustainable development projects. This project is already underway. The initial phase is to gather all the relevant grassland data as outlined above and then proceed to the implementation phase of the project. We have already identified key sites and landowners. Our first pilot project is in Graaf Reinet with additional sites in Bethlehem having been identified. Grassveld composition, Greywing Francolin population density and Landowner expectations are being addressed. Project updates are regularly posted on the social media platforms Facebook : Upland Conservation and on Instagram @upland_conservation Further overview can be found on our website : Upland-conservation.co.za
Upland Conservation is a small NPO in its infancy. Projects are under the direct supervision of two of the directors, Mr Craig Burmeister and Dr Justen Dralle FCA. We work in collaboration with either conservation organisations. Specific GIS data and requirements have been outsourced. The acquisition of this data, contacting the relevant landowners and in field review forms the largest proportion of our work.

2) Assist landowners and community leaders in rehabilitating, managing and conserving ecosystems while creating value and potential livelihoods which will support and sustain long-term conservation.
How does Upland Conservation make good stewardship financially profitable?
Mechanisms are needed by which landowners can seek returns on their grasslands in addition to those commonly associated with grazing or farming. The ability to capture the financial value of ecosystem services may help landowners who currently do not benefit from the true value of their land and all of the goods and services they provide. Because ecosystem services are not traded and do not have a “price” landowners are not typically compensated for the critical benefits grasslands naturally deliver to the public. New natural revenue streams might help landowners cover the costs of owning grasslands and provide them with incentives to hold onto their land and practice sustainable management. Valuing ecosystem services will encourage restoration and may provide a new means to finance restoration activities. Valuing grasslands as natural assets will increase society’s appreciation and support of lands that are already protected and healthy.
New approaches to conservation are emerging that may financially compensate landowners for providing ecosystem services. Markets and payments for carbon sequestration, watershed management, ecotourism, and a host of other services may supplement traditional revenues and promote good stewardship, especially when used together with other conservation goals. The Wing shooting community is a market for grasslands and the game birds they hold. Red wing Francolin are indicator species for healthy grasslands and Wing shooters will pay a premium for access to conserved grasslands. UC is in close contact with the various wing shooting and falconry organisations and works to facilitate this financial benefit for eco system services. Upland Conservation is committed to liaising with other role players in the conservation field. Project updates are regularly posted on the social media platforms Facebook : Upland Conservation and on Instagram @upland_conservation Further overview can be found on our website : Upland-conservation.co.za

As outlined in the SARS 9th Schedule; Public Benefit Activity (section30) the workings of Upland conservation trust fulfil the criteria for a PBO on the following grounds : CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE 7. (a) Engaging in the conservation, rehabilitation or protection of the natural environment, including flora, fauna or the biosphere. (b) The care of animals, including the rehabilitation, or prevention of the ill-treatment of animals. (c) The promotion of, and education and training programmes relating to, environmental awareness, greening, clean-up or sustainable development projects.
3) Advocate for and promote safe, controlled bio-sensitive and ecologically sound land use and husbandry by communities, landowners and wing shooters.
a) Lead shot mitigation
The use of lead shot is ubiquitous in the wing shooting community. It may be ingested by wild birds and waterfowl. Waterfowl consume the spent shot pellets and Upland birds eat the pellets mistaking it for seeds or grit. In sufficient quantities lead can cause nervous system damage, emaciation or even reproductive system harm. More pressing, lead can then be transferred to humans who eat these birds. Lead poisoning and its effects are well documented in humans Upland Conservation is committed to the ongoing awareness on this topic.
b) Use of biodegradable plastics and clay pigeons
Upland conservation advocates for the use of biodegradable shooting components so as to mitigate the effects of plastics and tar carcinogens in the environment. This takes the form of education and training programmes relating to environmental awareness and greening:
“The shooting community must maintain its place at the forefront of conservation and environmental protection. Continued development of non-lead shot and recyclable and biodegradable plastics means the time is right for a complete transition to these alternatives”
c) Appropriate husbandry and grassland practices
One of the threats to Grassland biodiversity is excessive burning strategy for cattle grazing. One of the projects at Upland Conservation is to advocating a proper burning strategy. The benefits of fire include: controlling the overgrowth of woodlands; preventing wildfires; improving biodiversity and sustaining critical habitats for threatened species
This must be balanced against a tendency to excessively burn or burn on an annual basis which leads to erosion and degradation of habitat. Sound burning strategy and ecological principles need to be adhered to. Through ongoing education and training programmes relating to environmental awareness and greening Upland Conservation aims to promote sound burning strategies Project updates are regularly posted on the social media platforms Facebook : Upland Conservation and on Instagram @upland_conservation Further overview can be found on our website : Upland-conservation.co.za

As outlined in the SARS 9th Schedule; Public Benefit Activity (section30) the workings of Upland conservation trust fulfil the criteria for a PBO on the following grounds : CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE 7. (a) Engaging in the conservation, rehabilitation or protection of the natural environment, including flora, fauna or the biosphere. (b) The care of animals, including the rehabilitation, or prevention of the ill-treatment of animals. (c) The promotion of, and education and training programmes relating to, environmental awareness, greening, clean-up or sustainable development projects.
4) Conduits to Canine Welfare and Conservation Organisations
Rather than compete for ever smaller pieces of the funding pie we support partners in the conservation field. Our PBO provides a conduit to donate to other NGOs in South Africa that are involved in animal welfare, more specifically rural dogs, gun dogs and Rhino tracking dogs.
These include but are not limited to:
Rhino tracking dogs (Wildlife ACT Fund trust) PBO 930035591 GSP Rescue South Africa NPC 2016/168792/06 2022 Roar for Paws PBO 930070372
5) Feathers and Fur (Conservation/Social development)
Social and economic disparity in South Africa (SA) is a pervasive crisis that will take generations to correct. It is not only a matter of public policy, or government action, that will close the gaps or uplift the disadvantaged, but also a matter of private contribution and the work of non-profit organisations to “raise funds and utilise the funds to uplift and enhance socially disadvantaged people through social development and poverty relief”
There are a significant number of birds and mammals hunted for subsistence purposes in South Africa. While used as a food source the feathers and fur are for the large part discarded.
The Fly-fishing community utilises these feathers and fur for the purpose of producing flies for fly fishing. There are a limited number of South African producers that produce feathers and fur on a commercial basis. Most of the commercially available fly-tying material is imported.
The aims of this project are to:
Utilise the feathers and fur from sustainable wing shooting to produce fly tying material for the local and regional market. Utilise botanical products in a sustainable way for the same purpose. Create a small scale business model that would create a sustainable livelihood for someone from a previously disadvantaged or poor socio economic background.
UC would initiate this in conjunction with government programs for small business development to identify suitable candidates from a previously disadvantaged background and assist them in the development of this business. Project updates are regularly posted on the social media platforms Facebook : Upland Conservation and on Instagram @upland_conservation Further overview can be found on our website : Upland-conservation.co.za

As outlined in the SARS 9th Schedule; Public Benefit Activity (section30) the workings of Upland conservation trust fulfil the criteria for a PBO on the following grounds PUBLIC BENEFIT ACTIVITIES (Section 30) PART I WELFARE AND HUMANITARIAN 2(p) Community development for poor and needy persons and anti-poverty initiatives, including— the promotion of community-based projects relating to self-help, empowerment, capacity building, skills development or anti-poverty; the provision of training, support or assistance to community-based projects contemplated in item (i); or the provision of training, support or assistance to emerging micro enterprises to improve capacity to start and manage businesses, which may include the granting of loans on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Minister by way of regulation.

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