Conservation, Sustainability and Community in The South African Bush
In the 3rd episode of the ‘Our Planet, Our Commitment’ series, we take a closer look at measures the Mantis Founders Lodge is taking to make a positive impact on the environment.
Taryn Gillson, Executive Director of the Impact Division & Community Conservation Fund Africa at Mantis Collection outlines the three pillars of engagement to which each Mantis property adheres: Conservation, Sustainability and Community. The resort is nestled deep in the South African wilderness, between Gqeberha and Grahamstown, within a 20,000 hectares conservation area.
Learn How the Mantis Founders Lodge Is Making a Difference Through Its Legacy Conservation Projects
Have a look back at our 2nd episode to hear how our teams near Marseille contribute to local biodiversity here.
Conservation has long been the cornerstone of the Mantis Collection
To help all the Mantis Collection properties carry out their conservation work, an Impact Division has been created, that is dedicated to the sustainable conservation of wildlife and wilderness areas through community partnerships.
To help achieve this, an official Mantis foundation was registered as a non-profit company called Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA). Founded in 2018, from the collaboration between Mantis and Accor, the CCFA was created in order to find sustainable solutions to the global conservation crisis through community-based projects.
Mantis Founders Lodge Has Set Three Main Biodiversity Priorities: Rhinos, Bees and Indigenous Trees
- Rhino Conservation: The Mantis Founders Lodge is home to a breeding herd of the Southern White Rhino, a keynote species upon which other life in the ecosystem depends. Maintaining rhinos’ safety and welfare is important and resource intensive; it involves high-tech security surveillance cameras, collaborating with anti-poaching rangers and providing additional feed to keep them healthy. Rhinos also receive regular check-ups to ensure future breeding. In an effort to educate and spread awareness, guests are also invited to take part in rhino monitoring activities. The teams pride themselves in the project’s record: as the lodge’s rhino population is thriving, feeding well and breeding, soon 2 sub-adult male rhinos will be rehomed.
- In-house Beehives: Bees are biodiversity’s foundation. To support bee life, the resort has built 3 beehives that can each house 60 to 80 thousand bees.
- Indigenous Tree Planting Program: Guests are encouraged to join the Lodge’s efforts to reduce carbon footprint and bolster biodiversity by planting native trees under the guidance of a dedicated hotel team. Guest-sponsored trees can be personalized with name tags, which gives lodgers a reason to return to check in on ‘their’ tree.Since the program launch in 2022, 24 trees from 6 different species have been planted so far.