As one of the partnership’s first activities, EWT and Mondi recently conducted ‘Species Field Days’ in Mondi’s forestry operations with over 100 people engaged in tracking species using the ‘iNaturalist’ app, which helps to digitally record plant and animal observations. Over 400 species have been captured and visualised in three days. The data collected will help to provide a better picture of species represented in Mondi’s forestry landholdings.
Mondi manages approximately 250,000 hectares of plantation forestry landholdings in South Africa, which are chain-of-custody certified. Around 20-25% of our landholdings are managed for conservation, along with the conservation efforts beyond their forestry boundaries. Through its sustainability framework MAP2030, Mondi has committed to conduct biodiversity assessments at its mills and forestry operations by 2025 (46% completed to date). With the support of external experts, the Group identifies important biodiversity sites around its operations and evaluates the state of a full variety of environmental aspects, which also may affect biodiversity.
For more information, check the Mondi Sustainable Development report 2022: https://www.mondigroup.com/sd22.
Contact
Iris Fynn
Mondi South Africa
Communications Manager
iris.fynn@mondigroup.com
Emily Taylor
EWT
Communications Manager
emily@ewt.org.za
Susan Brunner
Mondi Group Sustainable Development
susan.brunner@mondigroup.com
About the Endangered Wildlife Trust
Founded in 1973, the Endangered Wildlife Trust is dedicated to conserving threatened species and ecosystems in southern and East Africa to the benefit of all. We are driven by a team of passionate and dedicated conservationists working through 13 specialised programmes across southern and East Africa, each falling under one of our three key strategic pillars: Saving species, conserving habitats, and benefitting people. Our critical work includes conducting applied research, supporting community-led conservation, training and building capacity, addressing human-wildlife conflict, monitoring threatened species, and establishing safe spaces for wildlife range expansion. The EWT works with key partners, including communities, businesses, landowners, academic institutions, and governments, to create a sustainable future for wildlife and people.
© Photo headerimage: Lize van der Merwe