Ikusasa Environmental Services

Mapping, inventory and clearing of invasive alien plants
2019 SEED Africa & South Africa Climate Adaptation Awards; Government of Flanders
Biodiversity
Nelspruit
South Africa

Ikusasa Environmental Services works towards using a steam distillation unit. Removed plant material are used to make essential oils which increase revenue. They begin by taking an inventory of all invasive alien plants, establish a management plan which qualified personnel will use to remove the plants.

Ikusasa Environmental Services offer land owners the full package of mapping, identifying and removing invasive vegetation on their properties.

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Ikusasa Environmental Services create employment opportunities for local communities in which they operate, and help to reduce the pressure on indigenous plants and also improves the availability of ground water.
  • Creating jobs and community uplifting together with land owners and locals in the community.
  • Providing education on invasive alien species identification and the impact they have on human beings and the environment.
  • Reducing the pressure on indigenous fauna and flora from invasive plants. This has wide reaching benefits as aliens lead to mono-cultures, which is rarely a good thing.
  • Improve availability of ground water.

  • Boosting local economy through employment of local community as well as contributing to local entrepreneurship.

 

 

Partners

Ikusasa Environmental Services provides mapping and inventory of invasive alien plants, clearing and monitoring of these plants. This service is offered to land & property owners to eradicate invasive species, reducing pressure on indigenous plants and improving the availability of ground water.

Department of Environmental Affairs is our primary funder for this first project, they provide financial resources and expertise. DEA assists in technical areas such as mapping and they also do report on the quality of our work.

Land owners and surrounding communities allow us to work on their property. Depending on the specific case, some land owners assist us with task such as removing cleared material, transport and other work related tasks.