Restoration.

Education.

Community.

The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR)

is a voluntary citizens’ initiative dedicated to the conservation of its region’s biodiversity, tied to the socio-economic development for the wellbeing of its peoples. Governed by members, it is a registered non-profit company with the tax status of a public benefit organisation. UNESCO has designated the region as a place of major biodiversity significance for the planet.

The GCBR aims to be a catalyst for change towards solving one of sustainable development’s biggest issues: the disconnection between people and nature. It offers a full range of action-oriented initiatives across six themes – Land & Landscapes; Water Resources; Biodiversity; Economic Diversity & Livelihoods; Knowledge, Learning & Education; and Institutions – all aimed at securing the future of our beautiful region.

Our Vision:

People living in harmony with nature

Our Mission:

To restore and effectively manage the ecosystems on which all life in the GCBR domain depends.

“We champion people and nature living in harmony”

We are all aware that humanity completely depends on the natural ecosystems that support us and all other life on Earth.
2021 marks the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
As part of a global effort, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve focuses on restoring degraded river, wetland, mountain and thicket ecosystems.

In the GCBR, we are growing collaborations with farmers and other landowners for effective fire and wildlife management, invasive alien plant control, river and wetland management.
We also plant thousands of spekboom and employ hard working field teams that clear tons of invasive plants.
We live and work in the spectacular, globally important Cape Floral Region; partner with us to create a healthy, resilient and safe place for future generations.

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

“Created in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) develops the basis for the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity and for the improvement of the relationship between people and their environment globally.”

– UNESCO

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal or marine ecosystems that are internationally recognised as being of great natural and scientific value. By formally designating these areas, UNESCO promotes harmony at the human-environment interface, through increased understanding of the environment and greater involvement of science in environmental policy development. In essence, Biosphere Reserves are living laboratories and international test sites for sustainability in the 21st century.