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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

BirdLife South Africa (recommended by overseas office)

Important Bird and Biodiversity Area program in South Africa: IBA network and inventory formulation

Activity grant

Project Description

The number of bird species in the world is declining, and at least 15% of bird species in South Africa are on the verge of extinction. The main cause of this is the deterioration of bird habitat. There are 124 IBAs (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas) in South Africa, and Bird Life South Africa (BLSA) is responsible for the preservation of all IBA. BLSA establishes social networks from the grassroots to national level, gathers data maintained by the IBA program, and provides data to people who decide on policy so that conservation activities are introduced on a local level. In updated IBA programs, habitats that are important for the protection of birds are selected, and these regions are monitored and preserved through local habitat support groups (volunteers). In IBAs, preservation measures are conducted to reduce threats within preservation areas and ensure long-term preservation regulations. Through the implementation of appropriate IBA programs, species of birds in South Africa are protected in face of factors including excessive population growth, poverty, and climate change.

Fields
Climate changePreservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2012 Activity Grants
Grant term
2 years
October 2012 - September 2014
Grant amount
14,996,693 yen
Activity region
South Africa
Jointly assesses Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas with regional conservation administrators, specialists, nature protection organizations, and local communities; measures the current state of biodiversity areas and bird species

Overview of the Organization

Mark Anderson, Chief Executive Officer
Representative
Mark Anderson, Chief Executive Officer
Establishment year
1905
Establishment purpose
BLSA's mission is to promote the enjoyment of bird observation, and the protection, research, and understanding of birds and their habitats. The main objectives of the BLSA are as follows.
  • Prevention of the extinction of birds
  • Maintaining, and improving if possible the conservation status of birds
  • Conserving, and improving and expanding as necessary areas and habitats important for bird species
  • Conserving biodiversity and supporting improvements in the living of people through birds
  • Integrating the conservation of birds and sustainable living by people
Main activity regions
South Africa
Number of staff members
26 full time staff members, 5 part-time staff members, 6, 200 full members
Annual operating budget
127.98 million rate (conversion rate 9.42 yen = ZAR 1) in 2011
WEB site
http://www.birdlife.org.za
Main activities
The main activities of the BLSA is the conservation of bird diversity in South Africa, particularly the conservation of endangered species and IBA. Many programs are conducted to this end. Some examples are as follows.
  • Development of tourism programs centered around bird observation
  • Development of community guide mentorships
  • Community-based conservation development projects
  • Preservation of species (southern bald Ibis, flamingo, white-backed vulture, secretary bird, bustard)
  • Surveying and research
  • Conservation plans
  • Restoration of habitat environments
  • Environmental education
  • Policy and support activities (examples: environmental impact assessments (EIA), support for implementation of multilateral agreements in South Africa, participation in environment management frameworks)
  • Seabird department (Albatross Task Force (ATF), Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (Rf Mos))