2010 marks the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) – declared by the United Nations General Assembly to acknowledge the world’s biodiversity and encourage people to take action to protect our biodiversity and reduce loss of biodiversity.

As the third most biologically diverse country in the world, it is appropriate that South Africa makes the most of IYB by using every possible opportunity to highlight the importance of biodiversity and its significance to the wellbeing of our people and our planet. It is also crucial that as custodians of South Africa’s biodiversity, we at SANBI showcase our work, discuss our challenges and celebrate our success stories during IYB.

With this in mind, Ms Carmel Mbizvo, Head of the Knowledge, Policy and Network Management branch, and acting Head of the Research Portfolio Management branch was tasked to set up a committee for staff members to form an internal IYB committee.

The committee, which met twice last year, has developed a calendar of events targeted to promote IYB. Some of these events include: the launch of the Biodiversity Advisor in January, the Biodiversity Planning Forum and the Biodiversity EXPO at Kirstenbosch NBG – both in March, International Day of Biodiversity in May, Arbor Week in August and the Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Convention, to be held in Japan in November next year.

In addition, we are all well aware of the opportunity the 2010 FIFA World Cup presents for us, and our tourism services. Our nine National Botanical Gardens are gearing up to welcome visitors from far and wide as they grace our shores to enjoy one of the biggest sporting spectaculars on the planet.

We see this as a once-in-alifetime opportunity to position our Gardens as world class day trip destinationsof choice. Here’s to a Happy 2010!

Download the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity Calendar