The 2012 Biodiversity Planning Forum was co-hosted by DEA, SANBI and SANParks and took place at Kruger National Park from 22 - 25 May 2012.
The 2012 Forum focussed on the following:
Established in 2004, the National Biodiversity Planning Forum is an annual event providing an opportunity for individuals, agencies and departments involved in spatial biodiversity planning to share and synthesise valuable lessons from biodiversity planning projects across South Africa. The Forum is intended primarily for those involved in the technical aspects of biodiversity planning and the production of biodiversity planning products. Although the core focus of the Forum is on systematic biodiversity planning a key theme is planning for implementation. Much of the biodiversity planning done in South Africa underpins strategic interventions and supports improved environmental decision-making.
The Forum attracts practitioners, scientists and managers from a range of institutions and organisations including national, provincial and local government, conservation NGOs, universities and research institutes and independent biodiversity planning consultants. The Forum has seen huge growth in numbers over the last 9 years, from 45 participants to over 200 participants at the 2014 Forum. The Forum also encourages students and interns to attend and offers funding, when possible, to support student involvement.
