Date: 25 June 2023
Location: eMangwaneni and Impendle, upper uMkhomazi Catchment
Organisers: Institute of Natural Resources (INR)
Participants: Local stakeholders from uMkhomazi project sites, including Impendle, Bulwer, Ntwasahlobo, Municipality officials, Traditional authorities, local entrepreneurs, farmers, citizen scientists, and INR staff.
Activities: The event featured field visits to restoration sites in eMangwaneni and Impendle, where participants observed various restoration efforts. Highlights included demonstrations of the nappies experiment for growing Napier fodder and community-led spring rehabilitation. Additionally, participants learned about rangeland grazing management through the Herding for Health (H4H) project. The day concluded with a joint reflection session and a discussion on Conservation Agriculture (CA) at the home of the Induna of Ntwasahlobo.
Outcomes: The event successfully enhanced awareness of restoration interventions and their positive impact on local communities. Key learnings included insights into restoration sustainability, improved rangelands, and innovative waste management practices. Discussions also focused on collaboration, funding opportunities, and sustainable agricultural practices, leading to strengthened relationships between local stakeholders and the broader community.
Key Highlights: The event showcased the successful demonstration of restoration work that created employment opportunities. Innovative use of disposable nappies for growing fodder and community-driven spring rehabilitation efforts were particularly noteworthy. Positive feedback and active participation from local stakeholders provided valuable insights for future engagement and project implementation.
