Join the community
Welcome Friend
We appreciate and value nature-positive voluntary efforts made by everyone living and working in the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR). We would love to help increase the impact of these environmental projects.
The Friends of the Biosphere programme aims to promote sustainable practices, increase environmental awareness and protect the special biodiversity within all the towns and communities across the GCBR by awarding small grants to qualifying individuals, clubs, groups, schools and NPCs for aligned projects.
Project Categories
Environmental awareness
Initiatives that enhance understanding of the environment, the impacts of human behaviours, and the importance of the protection of the environment.
Project examples:
Environmental message murals in public spaces
Clean-up / recycle/ upcycle initiatives
Organised efforts to remove waste from an area or environment and/or the promotion of recycling and turning trash into treasure.
Project examples:
Community clean up events to remove litter from natural and public spaces
Indigenous tree planting
Initiatives to create more green spaces within communities by planting indigenous trees and other indigenous plants.
Project examples:
Plant indigenous shrubs and pollinator-friendly flowers in public spaces
School environmental projects
Initiatives that aim to improve the natural environment within and around schools and/or enhance learners’ understanding and appreciation of the natural world and its functioning.
Project examples:
Citizen science projects
Projects where the general public gathers data to submit for scientific research.
Project examples:
Outdoor nature event to capture data for iNaturalist in key areas
Environmental rehabilitation
Employ activities in disturbed areas to reverse/minimise negative environmental impacts.
Project examples:
Reforestation event/ projects
Conservation of indigenous species
The conservation of indigenous plant and animal species in their natural habitat or natural ecosystem
Project examples:
Rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife back into their natural habitat
Projects that protect an area for the benefit of an indigenous species
How does this programme work?
Submit online application
Individuals / clubs / groups / schools / NPCs apply for a small grant online
Receive grant
Grant is reviewed and if approved a contract is entered into and the funds are paid over
Do green work
For the duration of the contract the individuals / clubs / groups / schools / NPCs are considered as “Friends”
Report back
Once the project is finalised our “Friend” needs to report back on the outcome and is welcome to apply for a new grant
Benefits of being a Friend
- Financial support to enhance the impact of their environmental project
- Pro-active engagement with businesses to elicit secure funding through the GCBR, a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), to assist your project
- Increased awareness and support of “Friends” projects through our website and social media channels
- Discounted rates on all GCBR apparel
Become a friend of the biosphere
Who can be a “Friend”?
Anyone within the GCBR region who has a passion for improving where and how we live, and who has the energy and drive to make a difference within our fundable projects’ categories. These may include, but are not limited to: