Leveraging science to save species
The Science and Innovation Programme provides the evidence base that underpins BirdLife South Africa’s conservation work. We synthesise data from large-scale citizen science projects, targeted field studies and advanced analytical tools to understand where birds occur, how their populations are changing, and what pressures they face. This work is essential for identifying threatened species, prioritising key sites for protection, and supporting national and international biodiversity commitments. By translating complex data into clear, decision-ready outputs, we ensure that conservation actions are guided by the best available science and that limited resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
We lead national conservation assessments such as the Regional Red List of birds, Green Status of Species, analyse millions of records from citizen science initiatives like SABAP2, CAR and CWAC, and develop spatial models to inform protected area planning and Key Biodiversity Areas. By supporting university based students and working with partners, such as SANBI, our work directly supports government biodiversity mandates, international reporting obligations, and on-the-ground conservation interventions, while also generating peer-reviewed science and accessible public-facing products.
