NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVANCIES
OF SOUTH AFRICA
(NACSA)
The National Association of Conservancies of South Africa was established in August 2003 to promote community-driven conservation and to network with local and international bodies with similar aims. Its membership consists of two representatives from provincial conservancy associations plus co-opted members as needed. (Until all provinces have established their own conservancy associations, a representative from their provincial government conservation department will serve on NACSA in the interim.)
What is a conservancy?
Definition of Conservancies (community-based conservation): A conservancy is a registered voluntary association between land users/owners who cooperatively wish to manage their natural resources in an environmentally sustainable manner without necessarily changing the land-use of their properties
Vision:
To promote stewardship of natural resources at a community level.
NACSA’s aims are:
n To guide and support provincial associations in achieving their aims and maintaining consistency and focus.
n To increase, challenge and change current awareness of, and approaches to conservation.
n To promote an ethic that balances conservation, economic development and agriculture.
n To ensure national and provincial legislation advances community-driven conservation initiatives.
KwaZulu Natal Conservancies Association is the oldest provincial association, founded in 1981. The Gauteng Conservancy Association was the second one, founded in February 2003. In 2004 Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Limpopo followed. Other provinces are working towards forming associations.
The purpose of a Provincial Association is:
n To gain recognition and support from the public, business and the government in order to conserve the province’s natural resources.
n To join forces with other conservation bodies to solve environmental problems.
n To actively encourage the involvement and growth of all communities within their conservancies.
n To develop a strong, united voice for conservation in the province.
n To encourage formation of more rural, urban and industrial conservancies in the province.
n To give support to and network with conservancies in the province and throughout South Africa by sharing information and resources through cooperation and liaison with NACSA.
n To raise awareness among members, resident non-members and the public of the need to conserve our natural resources.
Each year NACSA arranges a conference, hosted by a different province. It was decided in 2006 that a national conference would be held every second year
The first national conference took place in Gauteng in 2003,
The second national conference took place in KZN in 2004
The third national conference took place in Mpumalanga in 2005.
The fourth national conference took place in the Western Cape in 2006