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
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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:
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
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Illegal trade in flora & fauna
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Mining & development impacts
Social ecology
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Ecosystem services, tourism & arid zone livelihoods
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Environmental governance & sustainable resource use
Drought, climate change and building resistance
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Remote sensing & monitoring change
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Climate-change impacts and predictions
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Nature-based solutions for building resilience
Sustainable agriculture
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Research on arid agricultural systems
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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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