Strengthening Biosphere Reserve Water Governance through Citizen Science

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves play an important role in balancing biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and community well-being. However, many biosphere reserves continue to face challenges in translating environmental information into governance processes that support inclusive and evidence-informed decision-making. While citizen science initiatives are increasingly generating valuable environmental data, pathways that connect community-generated information with policy and management often remain limited.

This project explores how citizen science can strengthen water and landscape governance in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. The initiative focuses on creating stronger connections between environmental monitoring, local knowledge, scientific expertise, and decision-making processes. Particular attention is given to water resources, ecosystem health, and the role of participatory monitoring in supporting sustainable landscape management.

Through workshops, technical training, and stakeholder dialogue, the project brings together biosphere reserve managers, municipal authorities, researchers, farmers, water managers, and local communities. Citizen science, water quality monitoring, and Earth observation technologies provide entry points for collaborative learning and reflection on environmental change and governance challenges.

The initiative forms part of a broader collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the University of the Western Cape, UNESCO ROSA, and the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Through knowledge co-production and multi-stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to strengthen the integration of citizen science into environmental governance while supporting more adaptive, inclusive, and resilient management of biosphere reserve landscapes.