 For many conservation projects, success is measured in hectares restored, invasive species removed, or trees planted. While these ecological indicators are critical, they overlook a vitally important question: How does restoration change the lives of the people doing the work? In 2024, we started implementing a restoration project supported by the IKI Small Grants programme, part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Government. From the outset, the project was designed with two equally important goals: restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening the livelihoods and skills of the local people working in these landscapes. While the ecological outcomes focused on restoring forests, the project also aimed to create meaningful employment opportunities, build restoration skills, and deepen participants’ connection to the natural environment. To better understand these social outcomes, we conducted a social and livelihood assessment among restoration team members who participated in the project. Some of these results are summarised below Restoration Work Creates Real Livelihood StabilityIn rural areas, employment opportunities are often seasonal and unpredictable. Many households depend on a combination of temporary work and social grants. Before the project began, more than half of the surveyed participants reported experiencing months with no income at all during the year. By the end of the project, that situation had changed dramatically. None of the participants in our follow-up survey reported experiencing months without income. Restoration work created more consistent employment by expanding the types of work that teams could perform throughout the year. Tasks included:
"For the first time I had income every month. It helped my family so much.”  Skills That Build Long-Term OpportunitiesOne of the most significant outcomes of the project was the expansion of restoration skills among participants. At the start of the project, workers typically performed around six different restoration tasks. By the end of the project, the average number of tasks had more than doubled to nearly fifteen different skills per person. Participants learned new techniques such as:
Several participants reflected that they now feel more confident in their abilities: “I used to only do clearing, but now I can do nursery work, erosion control and seed collecting.”  Strong Gains for Women in Restoration WorkThe project also created important opportunities for women. Historically, much conservation work has focused on physically demanding activities such as cutting and stacking trees and chainsaw work. Restoration work, however, includes a wider range of activities—many of which provide opportunities for different skills and physical capacities. As a result, women in the project experienced some of the largest gains in skills and income diversity. On average, women more than tripled the number of restoration tasks they were able to perform, and many expanded their income sources significantly. This diversification can be particularly important because women often carry a large share of household financial responsibility. A Deeper Connection with Nature While the economic and skills benefits were significant, some of the most powerful changes were more personal. Participants spoke about how working in restoration changed the way they see the landscape around them. Many described developing a deeper appreciation for fynbos ecosystems, rivers, and wetlands. Several participants expressed that they now notice plants, birds, and signs of ecological recovery in ways they never did before. As one participant shared: “I didn’t understand fynbos before. Now I want to protect it.” Another said: “Working in the mountain changed how I feel inside.” For many team members, restoration work has become more than just employment. It has created a sense of pride in contributing to the recovery of landscapes that sustain local communities.  Why Social Impact Matters in Conservation Conservation is often framed as protecting nature for its own sake. But healthy ecosystems and thriving communities are deeply interconnected. Our experience shows that restoration work can help people reconnect with nature, while also improving livelihoods. These social benefits are often overlooked, yet they may be some of the most powerful long-term outcomes of conservation efforts. The findings from this assessment reinforce something that is core to our organisation: Restoration is not only about repairing ecosystems—it is also about strengthening the relationship between people and the landscapes they depend on. As restoration work continues in the Grootvadersbosch area, we hope to build on these social gains while continuing to restore the rivers and mountains that sustain our region. And links to videos are here The full report is available below: 
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorGVB Conservancy Staff Archives
April 2026
Categories
All
|
||
RSS Feed
