Every year, researchers and practitioners from all over the world who wish to better understand and manage (or navigate) social-ecological systems and their complex interactions and feedback, gather at the Garden Route Interface and Networking (GRIN) Conference in South Africa.

The seventh GRIN meeting, held in Knysna from 30 September to 2 October 2025, attracted attendees from Stellenbosch University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Vaal University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Rhodes University, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Namibia Nature Foundation, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, SANParks, CapeNature, LifeThroughWildlife (NGO), TwoSense (independent consultant), Eden Resilience NPO and Forest Programme NVT, among many others.

The social-ecological systems (SES) team of the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON) participated in the conference with the sole aim of forming influential networks with relevant organisations that operate in the same space, namely the major terrestrial ecosystems at SAEON that are being observed and researched through EFTEON.

GRIN discussions mainly revolve around three types of interface – social-natural (sciences), theory-practice (scientists and managers) and human-nature (social-ecological systems).
Depending on the interests and knowledge of the participants, topics and session themes change from year to year while maintaining a general emphasis on social-ecological systems. The 2025 GRIN themes included: 1) Evolving nature of conservation systems, 2) Evolving nature of conservation systems and inclusivity, 3) Human–nature connections, monitoring, evaluation, reflection and learning, 4) Facilitating knowledge exchange, 5) Responding to climate and other drivers of environmental change, environmental stewardship and governance in the Anthropocene, 6) Co-learning initiatives, engagement forums and multi-stakeholder collaborations, and 7) Co-imagining social-ecological futures.

The meeting emphasised that SES should be community-based management. This should be done through co-production looking at participation, power and transformation with the rights of every individual respected. It also acknowledged that there are emotional and spiritual connections between communities and nature, therefore humans should not be treated as an external impact/pressure towards nature.

Well-designed SES interventions should support livelihoods while enhancing ecosystems. Suggestions proposed to achieve this include: 1) training guards in nature reserves, 2) training herders, and 3) speeding up opportunities for farmers and local communities. An example of a programme that sustained livelihoods while rehabilitating ecosystems is the Greater Stellenbosch Trust Initiative, which created employment for youths by allowing them to remove alien invasives and create ponds, which restored nutrients to the soil.

SANParks identified two key SES challenges for South Africa, the first being that it is a country rich in culture yet characterised by significant inequalities. SANParks is currently working on a strategic plan, Vision 2040, towards inclusive conservation that will correct the inequalities. The second challenge is that the influence of Western ideologies on communities affected by conservation, limits access to indigenous plants for healing and rituals.
The disconnect between SES researchers, practitioners and society was highlighted at the meeting. It turned out that these groups did not fully understand each other’s work and that the gap with society is not being bridged. Engagement platforms are being put in place for further discussions. These include the Southern African regional hub, Society for Social-Ecological Systems (SocSES) and a special working group.

In brief, long-term social-ecological systems data are critical for understanding the complex, non-linear interactions and feedback loops between human societies and the environment over time. For EFTEON as a research infrastructure, this will mean that 1) the collection and monitoring of long-term data will be less complicated, highly effective and more successful if the gap between researchers, practitioners and society is bridged, 2) which will in turn serve as the essential framework for effective management, adaptive governance and the pursuit of sustainability in an environment that is constantly evolving.

Further reflections resulting from the GRIN meeting include:
1) The sustainability agenda being underpinned by participatory approaches (avoid doing science AT society, rather WITH society.
2) Monitoring and evaluation (this relates to the goal of looking at thriving protected areas and landscapes through management tools for assessment instead of parks).

The GRIN’s ambitions going forward are to look at how to facilitate appropriate processions, community practice (society for social-ecological systems), focus on small success stories and a flagship product, and a joint statement and annual output that brands GRIN.