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While representing a wide range of contexts, biosphere reserves (BR’s) worldwide, share a common framework. As set out by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, to achieve its mission in enriching the relationship between people and their environments and contribute to the global Sustainable Development Goals. Those with shared characteristics, such as coastlines or mountains, have an opportunity for shared learning through formed BR networks.

Today marks the international day for Climate Action. A reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions, and working towards a greener and more sustainable future for all. As part of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserves (CWBR) educational outreach in communities, exposure to citizen science has become a regular component to the hands-on activities offered.

Mothers, children, the Villiersdorp community, Provincial and National stakeholders gathered together to celebrate the official opening of a new centre in Villiersdorp. A shared space for young mothers, mental and physical disability support through Tools for Life, and skills development workshops.  In partnership with Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR)...

As the second school term draws to a close, and exams are around the corner, the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve environmental education team has wrapped up the initial set of scientific and eco-literacy focused activities, facilitated in the second school semester. Alongside a teacher devoted to her student’s education, at a no-school fee public school in the Franschhoek Valley.

The 22nd of April is declared as International Earth Day, a dedicated day to come together as communities and individuals to learn about and celebrate the biodiversity on our beautiful planet Earth through educational activities that foster healthier habits and promoting environmental conservation and sustainable living.

“The Women in Conservation Kudu Award celebrates and recognises women who are ground-breakers in conservation, environmental education, tourism, and socio-economic development areas. For Bauer the award is for the children and because of the children”.

The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve team took 24 participants from Bonnie Peoples Project, based in Bonnievale, and four visiting guests from Aidons Tous Solidarité, Luxembourg, to De Hoop Nature Reserve for a very special weekend of camping.

Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve is now a member of the Western Cape Environmental Education Forum (WCEEF), also known as WC EE Friends! Three CWBR representatives attended the first ever WCEEF Environmental Education/ Education for Sustainable Development Regional Conference mid-August 2023 for some peer-to-peer learning, brainstorming, and networking.

Three Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) team members attended a very special event in May 2023. 

Representatives, including biosphere reserve CEO’s, team-members, project leaders, and AfriMAB Youth, from all ten South African biosphere reserves and the new Chimanimani biosphere reserve in Zimbabwe gathered in Magaliesberg Biosphere reserve…

Meet one of the river monitors, who is part of the UNESCO Be Resilient South Africa project.  She has weekly monitored and gathered data on the river health at one of the selected sites along the lower reaches of the Eerste river since 26th January 2023.

“The marine realm is the largest component of the Earth’s system that stabilizes climate and support life on Earth and human well-being”. UNESCO 

Over the last two days, two of our interns from Eberswalde university, hosted an introductory workshop on the MARISCO method. The workshop was combined with CRIDA, and the information gained will feed into the Be Resilient Project.

The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve team has hosted its first two-day camp of 2023 in January, bringing together local youth from two different communities in Franschhoek. Just in time for starting school, the camp focused on helping them set positive intentional goals for the new year.

Awodwa Confidence Tobo, one of our Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve Youth Board members, shares a very special occasion for this year’s Heritage month. On the 23rd of September, she hosted a launch in Khayamandi of her recently published book ‘Oom and Thandi: A Heritage Day Never to be Forgotten.’

As part of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve’s (CWBR) environmental education outreach events, the CWBR team regularly shares the river health monitoring method, miniSASS, with children and youth, as part of the mobile education unit STEAM-Y* activities.

The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) team partnered with CapeNature to bring a new experience of hands-on educational activities to the Cape Winelands community on Mandela Day. The activity day was hosted in partnership with Stellenbosch Municipality. One-hundred-and-thirteen children and youth from Ida’s Valley participated in the day's event, which was held at the Ida’s Valley Community Sports Field.

The CWBR team and volunteers, together with four students from a Belgian University, travelled to another area of the Cape Floristic Region this weekend: De Hoop Nature Reserve. An area known for its lowland fynbos. The whole team assisted De Hoop Collection with their Social Outreach Programme.