What we do

Protecting birds, conserving habitats, and uplifting people

BirdLife South Africa works to conserve South Africa’s birds and their habitats through evidence-based action, advocacy and community engagement. Our work spans science, policy and on-the-ground programmes that tackle the key threats facing bird populations and the ecosystems on which they depend. We also support birders and citizen scientists, build conservation partnerships locally and across southern Africa, and strive to ensure that conservation policy and land use decisions reflect sound environmental science and the needs of both wildlife and people.

As the South African partner of BirdLife international, our work contributes to a partnership of 123 other organisations worldwide, with an aim of conserving birds and all other life on our planet.

Protection

We aim to protect birds and the habitats they depend on, with a focus on threatened species and South Africa’s most important landscapes.

Champion Birds

We aim to champion birds in decision-making, ensuring that policies, planning and development choices consider the needs of nature.

Inspire People

We aim to inspire people to care for birds and the environment, by encouraging learning, participation and shared responsibility for conservation.

Our Programmes

Our work is divided into a wide range of programmes, each comprising multiple projects. Explore the work we do across South Africa

Empowering People

Landscape Conservation

Policy and Advocacy

Regional Conservation

Science and Innovation

Seabird Conservation

Species Conservation

The Mouse-Free Marion Project

BirdLife South Africa at Thirty

For 30 years, BirdLife South Africa has worked across the country’s mountains, grasslands, wetlands, estuaries and oceans to conserve birds and the places they depend on. This interactive landscape illustrates the breadth of that work, from protecting threatened species and addressing the impacts of renewable energy and fisheries to advancing citizen science, environmental education and sustainable livelihoods. Explore the artwork to discover how our science, partnerships and people are helping South Africa’s birds, landscapes and communities thrive.