HISTORY

The Centre for African Conservation Ecology (ACE) was formerly known as the Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit (TERU), and is a research centre focusing on research and postgraduate training within the Faculty of Science at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The formation of TERU was approved by the Council of the University of Port Elizabeth (which merged with the Port Elizabeth Technikon to form the NMMU in 2005) in 1991. This was in response to a need for terrestrial ecology training opportunities for postgraduate students and for terrestrial ecological research, as expressed by conservation and environmental management agencies within South Africa.

TERU began operating in 1992, within the Zoology Department of the then University of Port Elizabeth, and in 1997 it received Council recognition as a research unit within the Faculty of Science. In 2005, TERU was registered as a Centre within the Faculty of Science of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

In 2006 the Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit was renamed the Centre for African Conservation Ecology to better reflect its status and activities.

ACE comprises staff and postgraduate students of the Botany, Geography and Zoology departments, with an Advisory Board comprising representatives of State, NGO and private conservation and environmental management interests. ACE is lead by a Director (Prof. Graham Kerley) with support from a Deputy-Director (Prof Eileen Campbell) and an internal management committee.

ACE’s new strategic framework is scheduled for 2007 – 2011.

VISION

The Vision of ACE is to build its national and international recognition as a centre of excellence in the fields of ecological and conservation research, and postgraduate training, and to expand this role in Africa.

MISSION

The Mission of ACE is to develop scientific knowledge of the ecology and conservation of African ecosystems, especially in the Eastern Cape and adjacent regions of high biodiversity, which will enable society to make wise environmental management decisions. In achieving its Mission, ACE will build human capacity through postgraduate training.

Contact Information
Prof Graham Kerley
	Position: HOD & Director: Centre for African Conservation Ecology Phone: 27 41 504 2308 Fax: 27 41 504 2317 E-mail: graham.kerley Location: Summerstrand Campus (South)