THE KUZUKO THICKET RESTORATION PROJECT
The The Kuzuko Thicket Restoration Project involves the restoration of more than 5000 hectares of degraded thicket vegetation in the Kuzuko Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The restoration entails planting cuttings of the indigenous thicket tree, Portulacaria afra – commonly known as spekboom – into desertified landscape. The restored thicket will capture 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the projects 54 year lifespan.
Rolling back the desert
The conservation benefits of the project are significant. Plant and wildlife diversity will be restored into the arid landscapes. Dense thicket is the favoured habitat for animals; when spekboom blankets the landscape, herbivores thrive. In addition to many other animals and insects, the project will help to conserve the black rhinoceros and African elephant, which have been placed on the IUCN Red List of Critically Endangered species. Thicket restoration will also improve the overall functioning of water catchments.
Developing skills, creating employment
The Kuzuko Thicket Restoration Project will provide work for more than 150 people in an area where unemployment approaches 50%. Planters will not only learn skills that are directly applicable to the project’s work, but also additional valuable skills, such as health education and personal finance.
Offset your carbon footprint
Spekboom Trading has achieved the toughest verification standards possible – obtaining both Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Carbon, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) Gold status.
If you are interested in purchasing carbon credits, please contact us directly. You can also visit the Kuzuko Thicket Restoration Project website to find out more about the project.
Visit the Kuzuko Thicket Restoration Project website to find out more