A conservancy needs members. The first step is to canvas others in the area and promote the idea of starting a conservancy. You will need to share information about provincial nature conservation ordinance.

As members need to know what will be required of them, discuss the issues which form the common ground for membership. These topics may include movement of game species, procedures for rescuing injured animals, protection of endangered species, control of alien species, recycling and waste management, organic farming or soil rehabilitation, green initiatives such as wind and solar power generations, and general environmental management practices.

Public meetings are an easy and efficient way to reach many people at once. Invite your conservation officer or provincial conservancy association to this first meeting.

Call for nominations for a committee that will manage the conservancy. The committee members will guide members through the registration process, and fulfil the various requirements of registration. Ensure that nominees are aware of the time commitment that will be required of them. The success of a conservancy is often directly related to the energy and drive of the committee.

Set a date for another meeting of the newly constituted committee. The committee will decide a name for the conservancy, draft the constitution which describes how the conservancy will be managed, and draft the membership scheme. These guidelines will have to be presented to the members, and be accepted.

Prepare the following documents for submission of your registration:

• Name of conservancy
• Name and contact details of conservancy secretary, chairman and treasurer
• Location and area of conservancy - specify boundaries, hectares covered and key features
• Specify what the conservancy is protecting - e.g. species, heritage sites, monuments, building, ecosystems

There are associations which may be of assistance, and your provincial authorities (environment) may also be called on to assist you.

National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Private Bag X447 Pretoria 0001 Tel: 012 310 3911 Fax: 012 320 4746

Mpumalanga

Head: Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Private Bag X11233 Nelspruit 1200 Tel: 013 759 4083 Fax: 013 759 4032

Eastern Cape

Permanent Secretary: Economic Affairs Environment and Tourism

Private Bag X0054 Bisho 5606 Tel: 040 639 2000 Fax: 040 639 2002

For conservancies in the Eastern Cape: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Free State

Head : Environmental Affairs and Tourism

P O Box 264 Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: 051 403 3712 Fax: 051 448 8361

For conservancies in the Free State: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kwazulu Natal

Secretary: Traditional and Environmental Affairs

Private Bag X31 Ulundi 3838 Tel: 0358 874 285 Fax: 0358 874 2859

For conservancies in KwaZulu Natal: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Limpopo

Head: Agriculture, Land and Environment

Private Bag X 9487 Polokwane 0700 Tel: 015 295 7300 Fax: 015 291 3740

North West

Head: Tourism, Nature Conservation and Environmental Affairs

Private Bag X2080 Mmabatho 2735 Tel: 0140 84 1027/8 Fax: 0140 84 1029/6

For conservancies in North West: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gauteng

Head, Agriculture, Conservation and Environmental Affairs

P O Box 8769 Johannesburg 2000 Tel: 011 333 2106 Fax: 011 33 0667

For conservancies in Gauteng: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Western Cape

Head: Environmental and Cultural Affairs

Private Bag X9086 Cape Town 8000 Tel: 021 483 4093 Fax 021 483 3016

For conservancies in Western Cape: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Northern Cape

a) Head: Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Land Reform

Private Bag X5018 Kimberley 8300 Tel: 0531 81 4012 Fax: 0531 81 3804

b) Head: Health, Welfare and Environmental Affairs

Private Bag X5049 Kimberley 8300

Tel: 0531 80 0781 fax 0531 3 4314