149 Case study – Urban reforestation in South Africa Project approach The Reforestation Project was implemented through the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s (WCT) Indigenous Trees for Life Programme. This Programme assists unemployed people who are subsequently known as ‘Tree-preneurs’ to set up small-scale indigenous tree nurseries at theirhomes until they are ready to be traded. On collection of the trees, tree-preneurs are paid withcredit notes that can be used at ‘tree stores’ organised by WCT to purchase goods. Tree-preneursare drawn from local communities from the peri-urban areas directly adjacent to the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site. Collected trees are kept in a holding nursery at the project site and are sorted according to size and species, ready to be hardened off prior to planting. A separate team maintains thesite after planting is complete. This includes cutting grass and controlling non-native plants.Fire management is also undertaken to minimise the destruction of newly planted trees. Project outcomes Highlights of the interventions as of 2020 were as follows: A comparison of food security levels before and during the initiation of the project showed that people who reported that they “sometimes go hungry the whole day” were reduced from 80% to less than 50%. Approximately R13,000,000 ZAR (approx. £655,194 GBP) in social benefits were provided to the local community between 2009-2015. 786,894 trees and other plants of over 141 species planted in 712 ha of land. The planted trees included over 46 locally indigenous species. Bird species seen increased from 91 to 197. A total of 99 full-time, 24 part-time and 512 temporary jobs were created. Projected to sequester 42,214 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over a 20-year period, offsetting a proportion of Durban’s hosting of FIFA matches (declared as 307,208 tCO2e). A total of 32,000 training days delivered to employees to develop skills related tree nurseries, tree planting and site management. Lessons learnt Engage communities in a participatory approach: Community engagement from the onset of the project was essential to help community members understand the value of the project, as well as to ensure project ownership and project sustainability. Consider the co-benefits: The project has demonstrated that forest restoration can provide direct socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities through enhanced ecosystem functioning. By communicating these co-benefits, community buy-in is increased. Sustainability and legacy of project Through the success of the Buffelsdraai project, two other projects have subsequentlybeen initiated in the eThekwini Municipality, one at iNanda Mountain and one atParadise Valley Nature Reserve. The Reforestation Centre of Excellence was established at the Buffelsdraai Reforestationproject site. This centre will showcase the innovative reforestation techniques, on-siteresearch by local students, and use of sustainable technologies in the building itself. Periodic monitoring of biodiversity on the site will be done between 2011 and 2050, and aplot-based study is underway to investigate the success of different planting approaches. EThekwini Municipality, through its Environmental Planning and Climate ProtectionDepartment, will undertake post-implementation maintenance and monitoring. Further information: https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/urban-eba-and-drr-ethekwini-municipality-durban-buffelsdraai-community-reforestation Diagram of the NbS interactions showing how urban reforestation can provide benefits for climate change mitigation, poverty reduction and biodiversity. Biodiversity enhancement Increased incomes, livelihood & health benefits Climate changemitigation More habitatfor wildlife Tree planting Buffers noise andair pollution from landfill site Nitrogen fixation andcarbon sequestration Tree nurseries Credit notes Purchase goods and services Job creation planting trees $ $ Return to Principles