For nature and livelihoods

2025 
Conference

Once a year, all our partners come together to network and share information, in order to improve not only nature, but also livelihoods of the dryland communities in the region.

OUR 2025 AZEF CONFERENCE

20-23 October 2025

NG Kerksaal, Calitzdorp, Western Cape

Day(s)

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Who’s invited to attend?

If you work in the arid or semi-arid zone of southern Africa, you’re invited to join us. Managers, landowners, researchers, students, conservationists working at non-profit organisations and government officials (either provincial, national or municipal) all connect at our annual AZEF conference.  

Presenters

Submit abstracts to gill@azef.co.za

Conference registration
fees & deadlines:

Sponsored attendance:

Applications for sponsored attendance will be accepted from deserving postgraduate students.

Conference registration fees & deadlines:

5 September 2025

Early bird – R5,500

Early student – R4,500

Sponsored student applications

Abstract submission  

24 September 2025

Pre-conference workshop – R500

Late registration – R6,500

Online registration – R2,000 

 

Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors
for their continued support:

Pre-conference workshop:

Monday, 20 October 2025

Introduction to Social Research Methods

Conference sessions

Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd

General ecology

Threats to the arid zone

Social ecology

Drought, climate change & building resilience

Sustainable agriculture

 

Pre-conference workshop

Introduction to Social Research Methods
 

A Hands-On Workshop on Interdisciplinary Approaches, Practical Insights, and Field Techniques

Convener: Dr Stephanie Borchardt
Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University

Social research methods is a pursuit of understanding the complexity of human experience in multi-faceted and complex contexts.

This workshop offers practical tools and frameworks where participants will learn strategies to engage communities, navigate local governance systems, and apply both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Key themes include logistical planning, ethical fieldwork, and interdisciplinary collaboration across conservation and development research.

 

Conference
Sessions

General Ecology

Research on arid zone flora, fauna & ecosystems

Threats to the arid zone

  • Illegal trade in flora & fauna

  • Mining & development impacts

Social ecology

  • Ecosystem services, tourism & arid zone livelihoods

  • Environmental governance & sustainable resource use

Drought, climate change and building resistance

  • Remote sensing & monitoring change

  • Climate-change impacts and predictions

  • Nature-based solutions for building resilience

Sustainable agriculture

  • Research on arid agricultural systems

  • Rangeland management

 

Join our AZEF community

As a member of the AZEF community, you have access to partners such as yourself, working to protect the arid and semi-arid zone of southern Africa.

Get to know other partners working in the arid zone, and how they can help you. MORE

Share or learn more about study and work opportunities in the arid zone. MORE

Join our annual conference to connect with stakeholders in the arid zone. MORE

Join our emailer to stay in touch with the latest opportunities in the arid zone. MORE

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