Monitoring ostrich camp rehabilitation. Students record vegetation recovery in ostrich camps.

Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration cc was initiated in 2007 to develop a sustainable, ecological restoration business in the economically depressed, but biodiverse, semi-desert Central Karoo region of South Africa. Employing local people, the business aimed to

(1) produce and market seeds of Karoo rangeland plants for ecological restoration,

(2) to develop appropriate ecological restoration techniques,

(3) to advise on ecological restoration,

(4) to generate interest in restoration among school learners

(5) to provide experiential training for college students. Renu-Karoo met its five initial goals, however over the next three years the project must now grow to create significant economic opportunities, so as to contribute meaningfully to skills development, conservation and regeneration of damaged rangeland.

During the planned growth phase Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration cc will focus on three major goals. Firstly we will strive to become an economically viable and sustainable business through increased visibility, better service delivery and improved marketing. Secondly, we will obtaining formal conservation status for land in the biodiverse Succulent Karoo where the business is based. And thirdly we will contribute more to conservation awareness generation through development of natural history walks, displays, articles, short courses and through integrating nature conservation trainees into our locally-recruited staff.

Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration cc, being a local biodiversity-based business focusing on use of indigenous plants for restoration and landscaping, while training young people and raising awareness of sustainable use, restoration and conservation issues, can address many local social, environmental and conservation problems. Moreover, if successful, the Renu-Karoo model could be replicated in other isolated and poorly-resourced villages in South Africa.