What we do
The Biodiversity Planning and Policy Advice Division co-ordinate a number of communities of practice and learning networks through its projects and programmes. These communities of practice and learning networks provide an opportunity for capturing the knowledge generated in particular projects and programmes through case studies, lessons learnt and best practices and producing and disseminating this knowledge through the development of maps, guidelines and online tools.
This knowledge is then shared with our partners and a broader group of stakeholders through newsletters, websites, information sharing forums, and training programmes.
These communities of practice and learning networks facilitate the growth of partnerships and people through the development of practices and the sharing of information.
Where we work
The Biodiversity Planning and Policy Advice Division bring together communities of practice and learning networks across the country in different regions, on different themes and at different scales. Some of these communities of practice and learning networks operate at a national level, for example the National Biodiversity Planning Forum; at a regional level, for example the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot (MPAH) Learning Network ; and at the project/ local level.
Many of the communities of practice and learning networks originated from the various bioregional programmes co-ordinated by SANBI including the Grasslands Programme, Fynbos Programme and Succulent Karroo Programme.
Due to the nature of these partnership programmes communities of practice and learning networks were established to share information, capture what has been learned and develop tools and guidelines to allow for further learning and knowledge sharing.
The Division also co-ordinates communities of practices and learning networks that are thematic, for example the Freshwater Ecosystem Network and the Land Reform Biodiversity Stewardship Learning Network.
Reason for our programme
The establishment of communities of practice and learning networks provide us with a very effective mechanism in which to do our work and offers the necessary platforms and opportunities for knowledge generation, capture, dissemination and sharing. SANBI plays a key role as a knowledge institution and through our various communities of practice and learning networks this knowledge and information can be shared.
What we have achieved
The communities of practice and learning networks co-ordinated by the Biodiversity Planning and Policy Advice Division have provided an opportunity for partners and stakeholders to get together and share knowledge and lessons learnt, for example the Grasslands Partners Forum, CAPE Partners Forum and the Biodiversity Planning Forum.
They have also resulted in the production of a variety of guidelines and toolkits e.g. the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline, the Grasslands Ecosystem Guideline, and the Grazing Guidelines. They have also resulted in the development of case studies and lessons learnt.
Who we are
As the communities of practice and learning networks are a key component of how the various projects and programme do their work most of the Biodiversity Planning and Policy Advice staff co-ordinate or are involved in a community of practice or learning network at some spatial or thematic level.
How to contact us
Email:
Kennedy Nemutamvuni – Grasslands Programme and MPAH Learning Network
Shahieda Davids – Succulent Karoo Learning Network and Land Reform Biodiversity Stewardship Learning Network
Shahieda Davids – Fynbos Programme
Namhla Mbona – Freshwater Ecosystem Network.