SANParks have a long working relationship with Bruce Taplin and his team from Apex Conservation Services. The quality of training interventions he provides to SANParks with respect to rehabilitation and restoration has been very impressive and proven invaluable for the implementation of our Biodiversity Social Projects over the last few years. Bruce has a practical yet in-depth knowledge of natural systems which he applies to the rehabilitation and restoration courses he presents. He is well skilled in strategic planning and general project management skills which makes Apex Conservation Services a supplier that I would highly recommend.

Carlo De Kock
Implementation Manager -Biodiversity Social Projects
South African National Parks

Nature For Justice is a global social Justice organisation that works with organisations and communities living through the impacts of our changing climate.  Bruce Taplin and Apex Conservation Services have been an invaluable partner in several different projects.  In our experience they bring three enormously important value-added services: 1) Understanding the straightforward but often complex ecological context for a project site;  2) A strategic assessment of what will it take to achieve long-term resilience given the ecological, political, and social situation; and 3) Knowledge and experience with many groups that represent local peoples and their assessment whether the local group really has the ability to lead change.  We recommend them without hesitation as an excellent thought partner and technical resource.

Hank Cauley
CEO
Nature For Justice

Bruce Taplin and his team at Apex Conservation Services have been a crucial partner in several of our core conservation projects which we have implemented. They have undertaken key specialist ecological studies, developed a wide variety of management plans and facilitated permit requirements for our prominent conservation areas. This work has ensured compliance with the relevant national, provincial and local legislative requirements as well as provided a practical foundation for improved management of our conservation areas. 

One of the key conservation projects they assisted us with was the development of a series of management plans which aim to translocate Critically Endangered North East African cheetah from a sanctuary in Somaliland and introduce them into a breeding program within identified conservation areas in South Africa. The cheetah will be rewilded and future generations of this Critically Endangered species will be returned to newly established conservation safe areas in Somaliland. 

Bruce and his team are passionate conservationists who have many years of practical experience which is demonstrated by the high quality of work they deliver. We look forward to working with Apex in the future.

Dr Willem Burger
Owner
Dr Willem Burger Consulting

It was an absolute pleasure working with Apex Conservation Services. Their expertise in the field of ecosystem restoration and rangeland management is apparent and comprehensive and it is easy to sense their passion behind it. Their participation in the ecosystem restoration community is persistently meaningful and productive. Their educational program on veld rehabilitation is both comprehensive and pragmatic, leaving the recipients of this course well-equipped to not only act appropriately and implement high-quality rehabilitation interventions, but also read the landscape and really understand the reasons behind the cause, effect, planning and remedy of degraded landscapes.

Otto Beukes
Nature-based Solutions
Project Developer
Climate Partner Impact GmbH

It was a pleasure to make use of Apex Conservation Services' consulting services. Their expertise in ecological rehabilitation and restoration is apparent in the comprehensive ecological rehabilitation training manual that Bruce and his colleagues have compiled for our work in the Baviaanskloof. The manual offers a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical know-how and has enabled us to train our staff members on practical- and adaptive ecological restoration techniques. The Apex Conservation Services team further proves to be an excellent networking partner that is well-connected due to their proven experience in land management and ecological rehabilitation. We look forward to continuing to work with Apex in the future.

Justine Rudman
Director
Living Lands

The work undertaken by Bruce Taplin and Apex Conservation Services was of the highest standard. Bruce took a deep and genuine interest in the terrain where he works

Paul Merifield
Chairman
Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment

I have been fortunate enough to have engaged with Bruce Taplin in many professional contexts. The first was during the development of the National Carbon Sink Assessment, when he gave freely of his time and expertise, providing valuable input on climate change mitigation opportunities within the Albany Thicket Biome. Employed at Addo Elephant National Park at the time, his advice was hugely valuable in providing a realistic perspective on the ecology and economics of restoration.

More recently, Bruce formed part of our consortium that developed a subsequent national strategy to unlock land-based carbon offset opportunities across South Africa. Bruce led the Albany Thicket component of the project, focussing on the technical, institutional, operational, risk and monitoring elements required to realise implementation across the biome. 

It has always been a pleasure to engage with Bruce who is a consummate professional and brings a wealth of hands-on experience and knowledge into any project.

Dr Tony Knowles
CEO
The Cirrus Group

Apex Conservation Services (Pty)Ltd was appointed as the successful service provider for the analysis of land user needs and identification of any appropriate method to measure water quantity and quality gains resulting from the clearing of invasive alien plants, which was undertaken on behalf of the Western Cape Government: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. The objective of this study was to identify an appropriate method that is easy-to-use and accessible, which landowners and land users (including farmers) can use to measure and monitor water quantity and to some extent quality in the watercourses present on / abutting their properties or from which they access water. This project provided guidance to landowners and land users regarding establishing baselines for the watercourses in question, and how, when and where measures using the identified method should be taken to quantify the impact of clearing alien invasive plants (or other resource management changes) on water quantity and quality in the watercourses in question. Lastly, this project considered the stepwise rollout of the identified method through the Western Cape towards the realisation of the Ecological Infrastructure Investment Framework, among other policy aspirations.

The deliverables mentioned above were delivered on time, and at a high standard. Apex Conservation services (Pty)Ltd ensured that the outcome of this project had maximum impact and was considered good value for money.

Marlene Laros
Director: Biodiversity & Coastal Management
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Western Cape Government

We had the pleasure of working with Bruce Taplin and Apex Conservation Services, and we couldn't be more satisfied with the results. Bruce's expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality work were evident throughout. The professionalism displayed by Apex Conservation Services was commendable, and the final product exceeded our expectations. Bruce demonstrated a deep understanding of our needs and consistently delivered. It was a smooth and enjoyable experience working with him, and we highly recommend Apex Conservation Services for their exceptional service and commitment to excellence.

Dr Bianca Currie
Chief Executive Officer
Garden Route Biosphere Reserve

Bruce Taplin and Apex Conservation Services have led several significant feasibility studies in the field of environmental sustainability. His work includes a detailed investigation into carbon offset potentials, a feasibility study on intensive restoration efforts, and the application of innovative soil amendments. Each project showcased his dedication, expertise, and innovative problem-solving skills, making him an invaluable contributor, and coworker. His passion for environmental sustainability, and commitment to local stakeholders and communities, is truly inspiring. Apex Conservation Services’ contributions have significantly advanced our understanding and practices in these areas.

Elijah Umek
Carbon Accountant
Nature-based Solutions, Shell