The INR team held a two day strategic retreat on 13 and 14 March 2024. Day one of the retreat...
Read MoreWelcome to the Institute of Natural Resources (INR)
Bringing applied scientists together to translate science into solutions for people and the environment.
Partnering with government, civil society, the private sector and other leading research organisations we develop cutting edge solutions to support the resolution of natural resource challenges; we provide advice to practitioners, researchers and policy makers; we integrate effort; we build the capacity of graduate professionals to operate effectively in the workplace; and we advocate an environmentally secure future for all. We are an independent, non-profit, public benefit organisation committed to serving the people of southern Africa.
Our Work
Climate Action & Sustainability
Solving climate and related environmental and development challenges.
Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods
The choices we make in how we grow food can have a lasting impact.
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudi appointed as new INR director
The Institute of Natural Resources (INR) recently appointed Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi as its new Director to herald a more ambitious role for the Pietermaritzburg-based research and development organisation.
Mabhaudhi brings and impressive track record and deep knowledge of the fluid interplay between water, energy, food and the environment globally and particularly in Southern Africa – dynamics at the centre of his vision for the INR to play a leading role in the region.
“The INR is ideally placed to help address the challenges of water management, sustainable and resilient food systems, and global environmental change,” he says.
Institute of Natural Resources publish 2022 Annual Report
Dear Stakeholders,
We take pride in releasing to you our Annual Report 2022. Management would like to thank our Board, staff and partners for their support over the year. We hope you learn more about us and gain some more insight into the valuable work we do.
We are pleased to announce that we have concluded the recruitment of an Executive Director and a formal announcement in this regard will be forthcoming.
Recent Reports and Articles
‘Citizen science’ to help address the decline in water quality in Pietermaritzburg
The water issues in Pietermaritzburg have largely been due to the continual breakages and leakages of pipes, illegal dumpsites at...
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Appointment of Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi as the new INR Director
The Institute of Natural Resources (INR) recently appointed Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi as its new Director to herald a more ambitious...
Read MoreNews, Partners and Events
Partnership with Cranfield and East Anglia Universities: Investigating the drought resilience of irrigated agriculture
The INR partnered with Cranfield and East Anglia Universities in the UK to investigate the drought resilience of irrigated agriculture...
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INR Scientist Awarded PhD in Agro-forestry!
The INR would like to congratulate Thabo Makhubedu on being awarded his PhD in Crop Science from UKZN. This was...
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INR Partners with WRC to Empower SMME’S in Grant Writing
Date: 15 June 2022 Time: 10h00 – 11h30 Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4Bt5hn-RRQyb9HeqlKxC5w Background The Water Research Commission (WRC) conducts WRC 101...
Read MoreDrones and Water Quality: INR and Umgeni Water fly high
The INR has partnered with Umgeni Water, CPUT and THENSA to assess the use of drones for monitoring water quality as part of an integrated catchment management programme.
Catch the first glimpses of the project activities here:
News, People and Events
Environmental Trailblazing: INR works with communities to build capacity in fire management
The INR’s Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods team is currently implementing two initiatives at Inhlazuka, a rural community near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal. The first is part of the SANBI-funded Umgeni Resilience Project (URP) and we are appointed by University of KwaZulu-Natal to oversee the burning of fire breaks to protect both grazing lands and settlements. This is being done in conjunction with the Richmond Fire Protection Association and the Working on Fire (WoF) team that they host.
Illegal sand mining on the rise in KZN
HAVE you ever wondered where your building sand comes from? If you are in the uMngeni catchment area, chances are it’s from an illegal sand miner.
Written by Nomcebo Myeza, a former environmental scientist at the Institute of Natural Resources
You Can Make a Difference
Your donations can make a difference to many of the INR projects.
All donations are greatly appreciated. Click on the donate button to learn more.
