There is a need to collate the extensive but scattered information on Namibian plants into a freely accessible and easily understandable, definitive resource. This is particularly true for Namibian endemic and near-endemic plants which mostly are not covered in external resources. Access to reliable data is problematic in Namibia as most users do not have the means to access hard-copy resources or scientific publications, but almost everyone has a mobile phone to access digital information. Digital information however needs to be gathered, verified and updated by specialists. Some plant use information may have been lost in public knowledge through time. Without correct and current information, no sensible decisions can be made to address the urgent issue of biodiversity loss and its mitigation. There is a critical need to increase awareness so the public appreciates the importance and the role of plants in human wellbeing and to promote grass-roots conservation initiatives. This is also a great opportunity to pass the accumulated, undocumented knowledge of senior botanists on to the younger generation. It will also allow for the identification of research gaps which can be addressed by students.

The main outputs of the Better Information for Better Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use of Namibian Near-endemic Plants project are:

Output 1: A database of all available, relevant data on Namibian near-endemic plants will be established. Success will be measured by the number of Namibian near-endemic species for which at least five records (D above) are entered onto the database and outputs are ready for uploading online. The final number of Namibian near-endemic species still needs to be determined as a first step of this project, but is targeted at 600 records. After 12 months, a milestone goal will be completing this process for 50% of near-endemic species.

Output 2: An online source of verified, recent information specific to Namibian near-endemic plants available on the EIS. The number of near-endemic species for which information is available online will be the measure of success. A milestone target is set at 50% of near-endemic species online after 12 months of the project.

Output 3: Stakeholders (government and private, experts and laymen) will be made aware of the existence of the online resource on Namibian near-endemics and its use in achieving conservation and sustainable use goals. The number of engagements with stakeholders through meetings/workshops, presentations, online postings, publications, letters and emails will determine success. The goal is to hold two workshops/meetings/training sessions and by the end of month 19 to have input or comments for improvement from at least two government and three private stakeholder groups.

Namibian Chamber of Environment project site announcement.

Update from Project Director, Hera Kolberg The NCE/JRS Near-Endemic Plant Project  – NEPP for short – has employed an intern. We are happy to welcome Sofia Amakali to our small team. She was born and raised near Ondangwa, a town in north-central Namibia. She graduated with a BSc (Hons.) in environmental biology from the University of Namibia in 2022. Sofia immediately got stuck in the task of making a digital inventory of the transparency collection at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI). Deciphering the illegible handwriting on some of the older slides was a first lesson in what botanists often are faced with.  Getting what is available into digital form will enable us not only to link these images to the rest of the plant information, but also to plan for the upcoming fieldwork in the south of Namibia. The area has had good rains and plants are beginning to flower like they don’t do every year – we need to take advantage of this! Sofia will be involved in the planning process and gain some practical experience on the fieldtrip itself. A colleague from the NBRI will also accompany us. Expect lots of pretty plant pictures once we return from the field in September!

Herta Kolberg is an independent botanical consultant with a MSc from the University of Birmingham (UK) specializing in plant genetic resources conservation (seed banking). During her career of over 40 years, first at Namibia’s National Botanical Research Institute and then as consultant, she has gained experience on a wide range of plant or plant-related subjects. Particular fields of interest are plant taxonomy, conservation, data management and ecological restoration. Herta’s motivation for this project stems from her strong belief that biodiversity management decisions should be based on scientific fact and her desire to pass on accumulated knowledge to the younger generation of botanists.