Project background
The Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Project (STEP) began in 2000 with a four year planning phase supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit (TERU) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of the planning phase was to conduct, together with key stakeholders, a thorough conservation planning exercise in South Africa's Thicket Biome.

The planning phase was arranged into five key activities,

• A GIS-based spatial analysis, at the landscape level, based on extant data and ground-truthing, 
• Compilation of a strategic spatial conservation plan,
• Information dissemination,
• Capacity building,
• Development of a Conservation Planning Framework and Implementation Strategy.

Reports and products from the planning phase which are available for download (on the left) are arranged according to four of these key activities.

STEP Implementation
In 2004, the implementation phase of STEP began through a process co-ordinated by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Bioregional Programmes Co-ordination Unit, Port Elizabeth. 

 The STEP implementation phase is being carried forward through two processes:

1. Aligning existing initiatives with STEP, where these projects are consistent with the STEP strategy and goals; and
2. Working with stakeholders to develop, initiated and co-ordinate interventions, informed by the STEP Strategy and priorities.

The STEP project objectives are:

• to provide a conservation planning framework and implementation strategy for the conservation of subtropical thicket;
• to suggest and prioritise explicit conservation actions;
• to provide spatial biodiversity information for incorporation into regional, provincial and national land-use planning frameworks;
• to provide a capacity building service in the application of the spatial conservation planning products, especially in the local government sphere;
• to create an awareness of the value and plight of the Thicket Biome.

The main STEP outcomes are:

• The development and use of a strategic and flexible conservation plan.
• Enhanced capacity among planners in national, provincial and regional land management authorities, in the use of a biodiversity layer.
• An Implementation Framework and Strategy.
  
  Some existing initiatives that have been aligned with STEP include:
  
  • Greater Addo Elephant National Park Project
  • Baviaanskloof Thicket Restoration Project
  
  Currently the two key interventions which have been initiated by SANBI are:
  
  • Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Planning and Development
  • Fish River Biodiversity Initiative

  Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Planning and Development
Capacity Building Project for Eastern Cape Land-use Planners and Decision-makers.

The Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Planning and Development Project is a capacity building initiative aimed at land-use planners and decision-makers in the Eastern Cape. The project is run by WESSA-BCU, in partnership with SANBI. The Development Ban of South Africa (DBSA) has provided funding for the project.

The project aims to improve capacity within local government and other spheres by assisting these agencies to meaningfully incorporate biodiversity related issues into land-use planning through awareness-raising and technical support.

The local municipalities of Kouga, Ndlambe, Buffalo City and Great Kei, and the district municipalities of Amathole and Cacadu, were chosen as pilots for the roll-out of the project.

Capacity building is achieved via one-on-one interaction with practitioners, as well as a more formal training course. One-on-one interaction has been ongoing for some time and training will commence with a number of the pilot municipalities before the end of the year. In addition, workshops have been held in Port Elizabeth and East London in order to inform consultants of the legislation surrounding land-use issues. Similar initiatives are ongoing elsewhere in South Africa, but this project is in many regards is spearheading the way forward, and its success will have far-reaching consequences on conservation in the Eastern Cape, and beyond.

The Fish River Biodiversity Initiative
The FRBI is a suite of eight projects which aim to meet the STEP biodiversity conservation objectives, promote community involvement and address social and economic development needs. The projects were selected through a participatory process and final selection was made by a Project Advisory Group and endorsed by the Eastern Cape Implementation Committee (ECIC). SANBI, through the Bioregional Programmes Co-ordination Unit, is providing technical and strategic support to all eight of the projects and financial support to six. The financial support comes from the Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism in the Eastern Cape in support of the implementation of STEP.