- Maintain ecosystem integrity and high conservation values
- Are developed through effective stakeholder participation processes
- Contribute to economic growth and employment
New Generation Plantations
key publications
New Generation Plantations contribute positively to conservation, restoration and social development.
The goal of the WWF New Generation Plantations project is to collect examples of well-managed and appropriately located plantations, a key feature of healthy, diverse and multi-functional forest landscapes, and compatible both with biodiversity conservation and human needs.
The project uses real world learning laboratories in different parts of the world to get new insights on how to enhance positive impacts of plantations.
With this project WWF responds to a growing need for a better understanding of the future role that plantations can play in forest landscapes.
What WWF is doing
The goal of the WWF New Generation Plantations project is to collect examples of well-managed and appropriately located plantations, a key feature of healthy, diverse and multi-functional forest landscapes, and compatible both with biodiversity conservation and human needs. The project uses real world learning laboratories in different parts of the world to get new insights on how to enhance positive impacts of plantations.
With this project WWF responds to a growing need for a better understanding of the future role that plantations can play in forest landscapes.
A Closer Look at New Generatio Plantations
Case Study: Mondi in South Africa
Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Area: Approximately 26,000 ha, of which approximately 20% is natural vegetation, managed primarily for conservation
Organization: SiyaQhubeka Forests (SQF), part of Mondi, South Africa
Contact: Leonard Magagula
SiyaQhubeka Forests (SQF) is a partnership between Mondi and its Black Empowerment partners, Government and communities. It borders on the World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso Wetland Park and illustrates many attributes of a successful New Generation Plantations.
SQF has played a leading role in increasing the size of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park by facilitating the inclusion of 9,000 ha into the park.
The consortium has also supported moving the boundary fence of the park to include a sizeable portion of its plantations, increasing the park by some 15,000 ha. Elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and other game now roam freely within the commercial plantation forestry area.
SQF regards the communities in which it operates as important stakeholders in this venture.
Area: Approximately 26,000 ha, of which approximately 20% is natural vegetation, managed primarily for conservation
Organization: SiyaQhubeka Forests (SQF), part of Mondi, South Africa
Contact: Leonard Magagula
SiyaQhubeka Forests (SQF) is a partnership between Mondi and its Black Empowerment partners, Government and communities. It borders on the World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso Wetland Park and illustrates many attributes of a successful New Generation Plantations.
SQF has played a leading role in increasing the size of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park by facilitating the inclusion of 9,000 ha into the park.
The consortium has also supported moving the boundary fence of the park to include a sizeable portion of its plantations, increasing the park by some 15,000 ha. Elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and other game now roam freely within the commercial plantation forestry area.
SQF regards the communities in which it operates as important stakeholders in this venture.
SQF illustrates 5 key principles pertaining to “new generation plantations” :
- Good Governance, consultation with relevant stakeholders and participation of local stakeholders
- Detailed planning including an Environmental Impact Assessment, soil survey, integrated land use plan, delineation of High Conservation Value (HCV) ecosystems and site classifications to regulate future forestry operations
- Best-practice silviculture and harvesting, including site specific recommendations supported by a world class plant breeding programme, and applied research and development
- Protection of forest areas and associated ecosystems from fire, pests and diseases using internal and industry research resources and facilitating the participation of small and medium forest owners
- Sound socio-environmental management and participation of stakeholders – Mondi and SQF engage with a wide range of relevant stakeholders via their Socio-Economic Assessment Tool (SEAT) and dedicated Community Engagement Facilitators at all Business Units.
