Newsletter – May 2025

April brought us glorious autumn days and a busy schedule.

In this issue:

  • Public talk in April by Dr Chris Whitehouse on
    the importance of private Protected Areas
  • Paddavlei Fun Run
  • Gansbaai Academia Gr 10 learners attended a 2- day Workshop on ecology
  • Okkie Smuts learners spent 2 days camping on the Whale Coast Nature Reserve
Talk by Dr Chris Whitehouse

Dr. Chris Whitehouse, a renowned English botanist and director of Phillipskop Mountain Reserve in Stanford, presented a public talk on the crucial role of private land in conservation. Highlighting the global “30 by-30” biodiversity target set by the 2022 COP15 Convention on Biodiversity, he emphasized that by 2030, at least 30% of the Earth’s land and water must be effectively conserved.

South Africa, despite its rich biodiversity, is currently lagging behind — only 9% of land area is well-protected, covering 25% of ecosystem types, meaning the country is still 21% short of the goal with just five years to go. The fynbos biome, unique to the Cape Floristic Region, demonstrates the complexities of protection. While 34% of fynbos is technically protected, much of it lies in mountain ranges in the east — areas with lower plant diversity compared to the lowlands of the south-western Cape, where biodiversity is richer but protection is limited. For example, only 6% of Overberg Sandstone fynbos is under statutory protection.

Similarly, the renosterveld, another critically important vegetation type, is largely unprotected or considered functionally extinct. Dr. Whitehouse underscored the importance of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs), like the Overberg region. While CapeNature manages a portion of protected fynbos (16% in mountaintop reserves and 23% within CBAs), these CBAs remain fragmented and lack formal protection. That’s where private nature reserves step in — strategically located and often occupying ecologically rich or transitional zones, they offer significant potential to bridge gaps between public reserves.

 

The example of Phillipskop Mountain Reserve, which protects 936 native plant species on just 246 hectares, demonstrates how private land can support conservation. The reserve’s location in the Kleinrivier Mountains captures diverse topography and microclimates, helping to protect species at the edge of their range — something increasingly vital under climate change, as private land can act as climate corridors allowing species to migrate and survive.

However, conserving fynbos on private land is challenging. Landowners face high costs for alien plant clearing and conservation, with limited funding compared to state run reserves, which benefit from subsidies and grants. Dr. Whitehouse calls for a mind-set shift in recognizing the value of conservation and supporting private reserves like Phillipskop through community involvement and financial support. Simple actions can make a difference: joining alien vegetation clearing events, purchasing memberships, booking accommodation, or participating in guided fynbos walks all contribute to preserving the region’s biodiversity.

Dr. Whitehouse encourages people to think of supporting conservation like paying for a coffee subscription or dinner out — a small investment for protecting hundreds of species, including 125 birds, 20 mammals, 33 reptiles and amphibians, and 127 invertebrates. Ultimately, the talk stressed that every contribution counts. Private landowners and the public working together can make significant progress toward achieving the 30-by-30 target — and protecting South Africa’s unique natural heritage for generations to come.

 

Photo by: Sarah Taylor
First Paddavlei Fun Run

There was a time long ago when the Paddavlei wetland in Hawston was popular for boating and swimming. The adjacent milkwood forest was a favourite picnic spot in summer.

But over the years, vlei and forest lost their appeal. Polluted storm water flowed into the vlei and the increased nutrients fuelled the growth of reeds, which soon choked the vlei. It became a dumping ground for waste and rubble. The ancient milkwood forest became a meeting place for clandestine activities.

Now a group of people who still remember the ‘good old days’ have formed the “Paddavlei Eco- Group” (PEG) to make a difference. With the help of the TS Birkenhead Sea Cadets and Whale Coast Conservation they have galvanised community participation to reclaim Paddavlei and the milkwood forest.

Through the WCC-PEG-OM project, members clear litter and cut reeds (which are being shredded and turned into animal feed). A path has been built through the milkwood forest that gives access to lovely picnic areas. This achievement was celebrated by way of the first Hawston Paddavlei Fun Run / Walk with 115 participants. They took on the route with gusto, enjoying the section through the Paddavlei Milkwood Forest in particular. This joint initiative by Whale Coast Conservation / Paddavlei Eco Group and Overstrand Municipality was made possible through support from the Table Mountain Fund.

Ecology Workshop with Gansbaai Academia

Whale Coast Conservation presented a 2-day ecology workshop for the Grade 10 Life Science class of Academia Secondary School at Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The workshop included both theory lessons and the opportunity to look at cellular structures through microscopes.

They studied the anatomy of a plant – roots, stems and leaves – and how these structures are designed to perform their functions. They also explored pollination and the relationship between the design of flowers and their pollinators.

The physiology of transpiration was discussed in detail and the learners conducted experiments to illustrate the abiotic factors influencing transpiration rate in plants.

A trip to the beach provided much fun as well as lessons on the ecology of the intertidal zone and the milkwood forest. They also learned about sharks (thanks to the Shark Conservancy) and abalone (thanks to I&J Abalone farm).

We thank our volunteers for their input and AVI Community Trust for sponsoring this workshop.

Camping with Okkie Smuts

There are few things more fun than the camaraderie experienced around a camp fire. The dark night where wildlife roams is banished by a warm circle of light and dancing flames. Seventeen Grade 5 and 6 learners from Okkie Smuts Primary in Stanford had the opportunity to get closer to nature at a 3-day camp on the Whale Coast Nature Reserve.

The first evening started on a highlight – tracking down chameleons in the chameleon sanctuary. The fynbos on the sanctuary is recovering nicely following the removal of alien trees a few years ago, and chameleons are moving into this agreeable space.

The learners came armed with torches to spot them after dark when chameleons move to the top of the vegetation to sleep. It was gratifying to find around 50 adults, male and female, as well as juveniles and babies. The sanctuary is proving to be a great hit with chameleons.

 

The next morning the learners contributed to the success of the chameleon sanctuary by removing the Port Jacksons that keep springing up from seed stock in the soil.

This was followed by a fun lesson on basic first aid presented by two members of the Scouts. The guinea pigs got into the spirit of the exercise and put on an appropriate suffering expression.

After lunch they took a walk to the beach where they were hoping to spend time exploring rock pools and the varied marine life in the pools. Unfortunately the tide was so high that the rock pools were underwater and, since no life guard was in attendance, there was no swimming allowed. It was a pity since it was really hot, but they could cool off by wading. Nevertheless the walk to the beach provided another lesson on the scourge of littering as they picked up litter going there and back.

Later that day they visited the wetland on the reserve. A lesson about the ecosystem services provided by wetlands supplemented the expo on wetlands that that they had attended in the first term. The consensus from the learners was that they were leaving the camp richer in knowledge and experience. 

Our thanks to the staff and volunteers who helped to make the camp unforgettable.

We appreciate the support of all of our sponsors.