Biodiversity & Oceans Practice
The Biodiversity & Oceans Practice at Bukelani Institute works at the intersection of environmental stewardship, livelihoods, community participation, biodiversity economies, and oceans awareness.
The practice develops practical programmes that connect people, ecosystems, indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and the blue and green economy into one integrated impact ecosystem.
We believe environmental sustainability cannot be separated from community wellbeing, economic participation, and cultural identity.
Our Approach
The practice combines:
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biodiversity awareness
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climate-smart livelihoods
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oceans literacy
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agro-ecology
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indigenous knowledge
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enterprise development
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environmental storytelling
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community participation
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sustainable economic pathways
Our programmes are designed to move communities:
from awareness to stewardship,
from stewardship to participation,
and from participation to sustainable livelihoods.
Community Roots
Community Roots supports rural and community-based livelihood initiatives linked to:
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agro-ecology,
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indigenous plants,
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essential oils,
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biodiversity economies,
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and climate-smart livelihoods.
The programme combines environmental sustainability with enterprise development and community participation.
The 2026 Edition is being implemented at Nkandla , focusing on essential oils. There are 30 participants reciting monthly stipend and being capacitated to grow and supply rose geranium and the sustainable wild harvesting of helichrysum (impepho) and lipia javanica(umsuzwane).
The Bukelani Institute is financing the stipends and the sourcing of 4ha of rose geranium for the current planting cycle.
Green Roots
Green Roots is a schools and community platform focused on biodiversity, ecosystems, sustainability, and climate-smart participation.
The programme combines:
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environmental learning,
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practical activities,
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ecological awareness,
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and community engagement
to help participants build stronger relationships with nature and sustainability.
In its second edition, the 2026 Green Roots Programme has 4 participating schools from Ugu, eThekwini and King Cetshwayo Districts.
Why This Work Matters
Communities across Africa are facing:
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climate pressures,
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environmental degradation,
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biodiversity loss,
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unemployment,
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and increasing livelihood vulnerability.
At the same time, biodiversity and oceans economies present significant opportunities for:
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sustainable livelihoods,
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youth participation,
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enterprise development,
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indigenous knowledge systems,
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and environmental restoration.
The Biodiversity & Oceans Practice exists to help communities participate meaningfully in these opportunities while protecting the ecosystems that sustain life itself.
Biodiversity & Oceans Summit 2025
The Biodiversity & Oceans Summit was held on 11 September 2025. The DFFE, SAZIO, Bansundu Marine Club, Think Waste, SANBI, eThekwini Municipality, Green Youth Network, Moses Kotane Research Institute to mention but a few.
Organisations represented shared their experiences and identified areas of collaboration.
Bukelani Institute
clients@bukelani.org
Tel. 083 534 7637
02 Ncondo Place, Umhlanga Ridge, 4320
© 2026 by Bukelani Institute