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
Contracting directs capital to the ecological asset the buyer needs and opens access to land whose owners may be willing to lease, but would never sell.
The buyer secures defined ecological rights for an agreed term without taking on land ownership and management outside its core business. The landowner keeps the property and compatible income, while receiving rent for making its ecological functioning available.
The agreement defines the area, ecological condition, duration, compatible uses, payments and remedies. Restoration, clearing and monitoring are part of keeping the ecosystem available in the agreed 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 about the ecology on your land?
Send us the property’s location. We can use available biodiversity maps to identify mapped vegetation types and whether the property overlaps Critical Biodiversity Areas or Ecological Support Areas.
Different landscapes. Different ecological needs.
Our portfolio brings together ecosystems across South Africa. We work with organisations to identify landscapes that match their ecological requirements, geography, scale and duration.
Enlarge map: click the image. Locations are indicative and areas are approximate, not confirmed leased areas. The six cards below provide a readable text equivalent of the map figures.
Our Landscapes
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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, whose combined experience in conservation and sustainability spans nearly 20 years. Their shared vision is to 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.