The Kruger National Park (KNP) will once again host scientists, researchers and protected area managers from around the world.

The 22nd annual Savanna Science Network Meeting will be held in Skukuza from March 3 to 6 under the theme ‘Re-imagining conservation: Healthy, sustainable, climate-resilient savannas that benefit people’.

According to the KNP spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, this internationally acclaimed event will bring together leading scientists, researchers, conservationists and policymakers to address critical challenges facing savanna ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

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“The park will host 230 delegates representing 91 different scientific and conservation organisations from 21 countries. Many topical issues in ecological and social sciences will be covered during the four-day event. The close interactions between academics and park authorities facilitated by this meeting are key to promoting proactive evidence-based decision-making and directing research to address priority conservation management needs.The meeting has always valued capacity building, and as such students share the platform with world-renowned savanna scientists from across the globe,” said Phaahla.

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He added that the idea for the Savanna Science Network Meeting came about when a small group of scientists working on river-related issues in KNP, reflecting on the impacts of the 2000 floods, were of the opinion that a small meeting could be held annually to share research findings with park management.

The scope and participation of these meetings grew quickly to include savanna-related research and delegates from many countries and organisations.

“This meeting is now considered the premier international savanna science conference covering socio-ecological research taking place in savannas across the globe.

The conference format allows for dialogue and discussion on ecological science and conservation matters, both formally and informally, in a spectacular venue, shaping our collective understanding and seeding future research collaborations and projects to address key knowledge gaps,” Phaahla said.

A range of topics will be discussed, including:

• Large and largely unexpected patterns in vegetation over time
• Savannah conservation in the age of artificial intelligence
• From source to sea – the integrated management of freshwater ecosystems
• Building sustainable connections to natural and cultural heritage inside parks
• Walking the mammalian tightrope – balancing costs and benefits.

The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@savannasciencelivestream335, for those who would like to take part online.