Wildlands prides itself on pioneering pro-poor development approaches which assist marginalised and vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change, whilst simultaneously making a sustainability difference by restoring and conserving the natural environment that supports them. With networks in 60 communities across KwaZulu-Natal, Western, Northern & Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, the Wildlands programme is structured around three integrated pillars: Wildlife Economy, Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Communities’ interventions.

With support from the Government of Flanders, and in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Wildlands implements an integrated climate change adaptation strategy across three communities living along the Mkhuze River in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The primary aim of the project is to capacitate some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people to adapt to negative impacts of climate change, specifically an impact on subsistence livelihoods. Wildlands will work with traditional authorities and local governance structures to build an understanding of the impact of climate change and developing strategies to adapt rural livelihoods to absorb that impact. Particular attention is paid to improving the status of women in rural communities through capacity building and small business development that will enable them to play a larger role in governance and economic decision making.

http://www.wildtrust.co.za