Secure nature through a lease
Sibyllina enables organisations to secure the ecological use of a wetland, grassland, forest or other landscape for an agreed period. The landowner retains ownership and compatible uses, and receives rent for keeping the ecosystem available in an agreed condition.
Access to nature without buying the land
A lease lets a buyer secure the ecosystem they need without buying or managing the land. It also opens up opportunities where landowners are willing to lease but would never sell.
The landowner keeps the property, continues activities consistent with the agreement, and earns rent. The buyer pays to keep the agreed ecosystem available for a defined period.
The contract sets out the area covered, the condition it must remain in, permitted activities, payments and what happens if either party fails to meet its obligations. Restoration, clearing and monitoring are part of maintaining that condition.
How we work
Source
We identify landscapes and landowners that match your requirements: ecosystem, location, scale, duration and price.
Structure
We define the ecological rights, condition, payments and responsibilities in a lease arrangement.
Coordinate
We provide a central point of contact for landowner commitments, monitoring, independent verification and reporting.
What do you need to secure?
Water and catchments
Project biodiversity requirements
Corporate nature commitments
Secure ecological functioning relevant to your water needs, including river corridors, wetlands and catchment landscapes.
Explore landscapes against the habitat, species and geographic requirements of your project. Any formal offset must meet the applicable ecological and regulatory requirements.
Secure defined ecological rights to support your organisation’s nature strategy, with agreed monitoring, verification and reporting.
For organisations
What ecological asset do you need to secure, where and for how long? We can explore suitable landscapes and the terms on which they could be made available.
For landowners
Your land may hold an ecological asset that another organisation needs. We can explore whether a lease could provide income while you retain ownership and compatible uses.
Not sure what ecosystems your land contains? Send us its location and we can make an initial assessment using available biodiversity maps.
High-altitude grasslands and wetlands
Approximate landscape area: 1,200 hectares
A landscape of montane grassland, wetlands and river habitats supporting threatened species. Grazing and nature-based recreation continue alongside ecological management.
Potential relevance: Grassland and wetland conservation, headwater protection and habitat continuity.
Mountain forests, bushveld and wetlands
Approximate landscape area: 2,500 hectares
A varied mountain landscape containing forest, bushveld, thicket, mountain grassland and wetlands. Conservation management and tourism support the continued care of these habitats.
Potential relevance: Habitat diversity, mountain ecosystem conservation and ecological connectivity.
Riverine woodland and dryland habitats
Proposed initial area: approximately 3,700 hectares, with potential to expand to 6,500 hectares
A river landscape combining riparian woodland, aquatic refuges and surrounding dryland habitats. Its ecological functioning is particularly relevant in a water-stressed setting.
Potential relevance: River habitat conservation, aquatic refuges and landscape connectivity.
Grassland, forest and thicket mosaic
Approximate landscape area: 4,000 hectares
A working agricultural landscape combining montane grassland, indigenous forest and thicket. Livestock farming and nature-based tourism sit alongside the maintenance of these ecosystems.
Potential relevance: Securing a diverse habitat mosaic and maintaining ecological functioning within a productive landscape.
Mountain fynbos and headwaters
Approximate landscape area: 1,500 hectares, including about 1,100 hectares of intact ecosystems
A mountain landscape of fynbos, seep wetlands, forested gullies, rocky ridges and river headwaters. Existing management includes invasive plant removal and landscape restoration.
Potential relevance: Fynbos conservation, headwater ecosystems and habitat connectivity.
Agricultural catchment infrastructure
Programme footprint: approximately 27,000 hectares · 125 km of river
A programme across working farms, bringing together riparian buffers and nutrient management to maintain the catchment’s ecological functioning.
Potential relevance: Catchment condition, water quality and the maintenance of river corridors alongside agricultural production.
Looking for a particular ecosystem or geographic area?
Tell us what you need. We can explore the portfolio against your requirements.
A Mission Rooted in Conservation & Innovation
Sibyllina was founded by Ross Esson, Fiona Paumgarten and Richard Palmer. Our team brings experience across conservation, sustainability, industry and finance. We offer businesses a practical approach to securing defined ecological rights while landowners retain ownership and compatible uses.
Richard Palmer
Engineer and sustainability consultant with 20 years of experience embedding sustainability in infrastructure, cities, and the built environment across Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.
Ross Esson
Investor, and consultant with 20 years of experience across industry and finance, with a particular focus on ESG innovations.
Dr Fiona Paumgarten
Environmental and social scientist. Has worked with rural households living in and around wilderness areas in Sub-Saharan Africa for the past 20 years. Passionate about finding the balance between the immediate needs of vulnerable rural households and the long-term protection of natural resources.