World Conservation Day 2025 Celebrating South Africa’s exemplary efforts in preserving its extraordinary biodiversity

Yesterday, on World Conservation Day, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) joined the global community in raising awareness about the urgent need to conserve our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity. Observed annually on 28 July, World Conservation Day highlights the fact that a healthy environment is the foundation of a healthy society.

As global populations grow, with approximately eight billion people today and over nine billion projected by 2037, there is unprecedented pressure on the planet’s natural systems; resources like air, water, soil, minerals, and biodiversity are being consumed at an unsustainable rate. 

One of the most powerful tools in this effort has been the identification and management of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), these sites play a vital role in ensuring the global persistence of biodiversity. KBAs are the most important places on Earth for species and their habitats, whether in terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, or marine ecosystems.

In South Africa, the KBA programme is jointly led by SANBI and BirdLife South Africa, in collaboration with a range of conservation experts, researchers, and institutions. Since 2017, the country has undertaken an inclusive, scientifically guided process to reassess and update its list of KBAs, using internationally agreed standards.

South Africa has the distinction of being the first country in the world to apply all 11 global KBA criteria, reaffirming its leadership in biodiversity science and policy. In 2024, the KBA Secretariat approved 263 terrestrial sites across the country. These sites were identified based on the presence of specific species and ecosystems that are considered especially important for global biodiversity, these are known as “triggers” because they meet certain criteria that signal a site’s importance. In total, 3,486 species and 323 ecosystems helped qualify these areas as KBAs. The sites span diverse landscapes, from the endemic Fynbos of the Kogelberg to the seabird breeding colonies of the Prince Edward Islands, and cover more than 357,000 km²

These sites are not only national treasures but also globally significant. They provide an international framework for prioritising conservation efforts, guiding decision-makers, land managers, and communities in safeguarding the ecosystems that matter most.

As South Africa marked World Conservation Day yesterday, SANBI reaffirmed its commitment to science-based conservation and raising public awareness about the sustainable use of natural resources. The identification and management of KBAs remains a vital step in safeguarding our megadiverse natural heritage for future generations.

More information on South Africa’s KBAs click on the link below

https://www.sanbi.org/biodiversity/building-knowledge/biodiversity-monitoring-assessment/key-biodiversity-areas-in-south-africa/