News

2024 GRIN participants

Knysna – South African National Parks (SANParks) concluded the 6th annual Garden Route Interface and Networking (GRIN) Meeting that was hailed as another successful occasion. This gathering of experts in conservation was held from 01 to 03 October 2024 at Villa Castollini, Knysna, South Africa.

The event brought together a global mix of researchers and practitioners who shared insights on protected areas, inclusive conservation and sustainability. Interestingly, deliberations were consistent with the SANParks Vision 2040 and current global approach which advocates for conservation of the future that is inclusive and deliberate in ensuring local economic growth and communal beneficiation.

The 2024 edition of GRIN featured approximately 50 presentations and posters spanning a wide array of themes. These included climate change adaptation, human-wildlife coexistence, community and citizen engagement, and transformative conservation across landscapes, seascapes, and urban environments.

Furthermore, the presentations and discussions addressed the intersection of nature and society, addressing topics such as nature-based tourism, the human-nature connection, and pathways toward equitable, resilient, and socially just conservation futures. There were thought-provoking discussions that complemented poster sessions, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration, intellectual and experiential exchange.

The successful 2024 edition of GRIN bodes well and laid a solid foundation for the next gathering in 2025. The 2024 event was made possible through a partnership of SANParks with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Nelson Mandela University’s Sustainability Research Unit (SRU), The International REHABS research laboratory and Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (SAPECS).