OVERVIEW BY THE CHAIRPERSON DR PAT MILLER
Once again, we have to ask ourselves – where did the past year go? Wherever that was, it went at what seemed like an increased pace. International upheavals took a lot of our attention and look likely to continue to do so well into the coming years. The same goes for technological upheavals.
On the environmental front, the focus of the decision-makers world-wide on their personal selfish interests mean that the natural world is under even more pressure. South Africa – and that includes our own area – is sadly no exception. The fact that we live in a finite, closed system and that resources are thus not in magically endless supply seems to be a concept too far for politicians no matter where they are.
This means of course that the past years’ climate-change related incidents will continue and worsen. The inevitable impacts on both our built and natural infrastructure will be compounded by the snail’s pace of bureaucracy; this is extremely frustrating for the civil society groupings that have shown themselves only too willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved in solutions. The tragic condition of the Onrus River peatland still stands as testimony to this.
We at Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) also have to cope with this. Two examples during the year are the situation of the Fernkloof Stream and baboon management. The Overstrand Municipality (OM) diverted the Fernkloof Stream in the nature reserve from its natural course over a year ago, meaning that no water was available for the lower part of the reserve. In doing so they contravened not only the National Environmental Management Act (NEM:PAA), but also the National Water Act. WCC reported this and the OM was directed to undo the damage. Two rainy seasons later, we are still waiting for this to happen. On the second example, the cancellation of a service provider contract for baboon management did not mean that their equipment was removed; this includes cumbersome, heavy collars on at least two baboons that have not been functional for at least a year. Again, WCC has reported the matter and received assurances that this will be done, and again – we are still waiting.
We continue to work apace at our three focus areas: EcoWatch which scrutinises development applications and government processes for compliance with environmental laws; EcoLearn which supplements environmental education in the schools and gives hands-on science-based exposure to nature to children; and EcoConnect which informs readers of various media, and attendees at our popular talks, about a range of environmental topics. Further details of this work can be found in the annual report, and we are of course happy to answer any queries. None of this work could take place without our wonderful, endlessly energetic staff and team of volunteers – no praise is high enough for all of them.
We have had some changes to the Board recently. Rodney Anderson has resigned from active duty due to health issues. Rodney has served on the Board for many years; he has been one of our most tireless and generous supporters and even in these circumstances has said he will help if he can, where needed. We give him our grateful thanks for all his inputs and wish him well for a full recovery. We are very happy to welcome David Duncan and Adriaan Grobler onto the Board; David has a background in environmental education and will also serve as Treasurer, and Adriaan is a lawyer and advocate with a passion for the natural environment – although based in Pretoria, we expect to see him in our beautiful area as well.
Clearly, we are in for another busy year. The support of our funders is essential and deeply valued as without it our work to protect and conserve our wonderful natural environment could not take place. We are grateful for any and every contribution and while we still have your support, will apply the old struggle saying of “A luta continua”.
ABOUT WHALE COAST CONSERVATION
Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) is a registered NPO that has been working to protect the spectacular natural environment in the Overberg region of South Africa for over 20 years. This is an area encompassing marine, coastal, lowland and mountainous regions. It is in the heartland of the fynbos biome of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is a biodiversity hotspot.
Ironically, its natural beauty is the main cause of its extreme vulnerability. The more people who are attracted to the area to visit and settle, the greater the detrimental impact on various facets of environmental sustainability.
WCC has three main (inter-related) focus areas, namely:
1. EcoLearn:
W e run various information-based programmes for both children and adults, aimed at improving their knowledge of and exposure to our natural environment. These are all science-based and include:
- Supplementing the school environmental syllabi through holding expos at schools in the area which give concentrated information on specific topics
- Running holiday programmes in nature, including sleep-over camps
- Hosting adventures in nature where children and adults are able to enjoy hands-on experiential learning on specific topics and natural phenomena
- Offering monthly talks on specific topics by specialist speakers
- Writing a weekly column in a popular local newspaper on topics of environmental interest
- Writing and publishing books on the environment for adults and children
- Running citizen-science based projects such as rescuing and rehoming Cape Dwarf Chameleons endangered by developments, and generating base-line data on the cryptic Drewes Moss Frog.
2. EcoWatch:
The Overberg area is subject to intense development pressure with environmental consequences.
WCC scans the media for development proposals put out for public participation, scrutinises these for compliance with environmental legislation and processes, and prepares and submits comments accordingly. An example of this work is our comments on the various phases of the environmental impact assessment of the proposed CBD bypass road for Hermanus.
We also identify areas of concern such as the status and condition of the estuaries in the area – including the rivers that feed them – and develop multi-discipline and multi-player approaches aimed at workable solutions. These are put to the test in project-based approaches, such as the rehabilitation of the Mill Stream in Stanford.
3. EcoProtect:
WCC is housed in premises on the privately-owned Whale Coast Nature Reserve (WCNR). WCNR encompasses diverse habitats from marine to mountain, all in need of restoration. It is bordered by urban and agricultural areas and bisected by a provincial road.
Activities on the reserve provide opportunities for WCC to expose people to pressing environmental issues such as alien invasive vegetation, the urban/wild interface, the impact of marine poaching and litter, and the impact on wildlife and biodiversity of urban development.
Through this approach participants are also exposed to the healing power of the natural environment. Physical participation in habitat restoration and the protection of wild spaces and their biodiversity is a powerful counter to the negative pressures and stresses of modern life.
We need your support
Please help us to continue our vital work by funding us.
As a registered NPO, donations above R500 are eligible for a tax relief certificate.
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OUR TOP FOUR PROJECTS
1. Chameleon rescue and sanctuary
Everybody loves a Cape Dwarf Chameleon (Badypodion pumilum). But we hardly ever see them anymore. Their habitat is fast disappearing under urban expansion, pesticides and domestic predators. Whale Coast Conservation to the rescue! We and our devoted band of volunteers have GPS- mapped their occurrence in urban areas of Greater Hermanus and keep a watchful eye on possible developments that may threaten them. We have the necessary authorisation to remove threatened animals and relocate them to the chameleon sanctuary on the Whale Coast Nature Reserve. To this end our home school volunteers meet on a weekly basis to remove alien vegetation from the sanctuary to encourage indigenous growth for the benefit of the rescued “little slow foot” residents.
2. Youth Environment Programme (YEP)
We work extensively with schools with traveling exhibits and lessons on different themes that complement the school life sciences curriculum. Our interactive learning material brings the natural world into the classroom in a meaningful way, connecting book learning to real life. Nature camps and excursions complement the learning and provide opportunities for personal and social development. We aim to ensure that, when the youngsters leave school, they will continue to consider the environment in their decision-making, be it in business, government or personal lives.
We thank the AVI Community Trust and the Hermanus Botanical Society for their support of our YEP initiatives.
3. Eco-Watch Project
EcoWatch is the section of WCC’s work where we keep a watchful eye on whether or not (and sadly, it is often not) authorities, developers and the public are abiding by the rules that are there to protect the environment. As is so often the case, the country has a well-developed portfolio of laws and regulations to this end but these are often ignored, generally in the confidence that inadequate oversight will mean that the offenders will get away with it. Developers often purchase (or inherit) land that is patently unsuitable for development and do not do the basic environmental due diligence that would inform them accordingly.
It’s work that requires a thick skin and terrier-like determination to persevere as some of these cases take a long time to resolve. It’s often tedious, frustrating, saddening and seldom funded. But if it’s not done, much of our wonderful natural heritage will be lost forever.
4. Paddavlei Project (Hawston)
Whale Coast Conservation works closely with the Paddavlei Eco Group (PEG) to register the group as a NPO to achieve the objectives of the Maintenance Management Plan that was created on behalf of the Overstrand Municipality. The three-year objective is firstly to focus on reducing the illegal dumping and littering in the Paddavlei; to do reed cutting and processing; to improve the water quality of the stormwater draining into the Paddavlei; to create a leisure area and a footpath through the Paddavlei.
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ACTIVITIES: SEPTEMBER 2024 TO AUGUST 2025
YOUTH ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (YEP)
Expos on Climate Change
In the second half of 2024 our Expos focussed on Climate Change. This important reality of the world’s uncertain future was conveyed through practical topics such as why is earth getting hotter and how a warming earth drives climate change; we looked at the effects of climate change such as increased floods, winds and fires; we discussed the effects of climate change on people as well as animals; and how we can influence governments to address climate change.
Expos on African Penguins
African Penguins are on the brink of extinction and the school expo programme was designed to make learners aware of the threats facing these penguins and how the youth do have a voice in helping to conserve them. The expo was repeated at five schools and a total of 430 learners participated.
Expos on Protected Areas
The expo was all about the importance of protected areas and their role in conserving South Africa’s unique biodiversity – both terrestrial and marine. The expo was offered at four schools and a total of 315 learners attended.
Our thanks go to the volunteers who support out educational programmes in the schools. Without them we would not be able to fulfil this vital function.
Visit to I&J Abalone Farm
Twenty Life Sciences learners from Gansbaai Academia visited I&J Abalone Farm where I&J staff explained how the aquaculture of abalone is done. The learners were informed and impressed – and loved every minute.
Camping
Overnight camps in the Whale Coast Nature Reserve were held for learners from Okkie Smuts Primary and Applewood Primary.
Plant Science Programme
This 2-day programme was held for the Grade 10 Life Science class of both Hermanus High and Academia Secondary School. The programme included a study of the different parts of a plant and the adaptations of these parts in fynbos plants to the harsh conditions in which they grow. The learners then studied the cellular structures of plants, getting to grips with the use of microscopes in the process. They also set up experiments to test the rate of transpiration of plants under different environmental conditions. The programme included an introduction to sandy beach creatures, milkwood forests, and sharks and concluded with a display of live abalone.
A shorter, microscope-based workshop was also conducted for Applewood Primary.
Hawston Primary Eco-club
In early October the Paddavlei Eco-Group education program was held at Hawston Primary and as a result the school was inspired to start their own eco-club. The aim of the eco-club is to learn and teach others about the environment.
Protecting African Penguins School art competition and educational outings
Whale Coast Conservation launched an art competition in Overstrand schools to promote awareness of the dire future of our penguins. The artworks judged as best at carrying the message of penguin conservation is being used in a national campaign (in partnership with BirdLife SA, and the Two Oceans Aquarium) to raise awareness of the perilous future of South Africa’s unique penguins.
All the participating schools were treated to visits to the Stony Point penguin colony. The winners were thrilled to go on a whale watching boat sponsored by Dyer Island Conservation Trust and a birding trip on the Klein River in Stanford courtesy of BirdLife SA.
Nature walks in Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Groups of learners have an opportunity to walk in a nature reserve, learning about the biodiversity they encounter. Educators meet them at different points in their walk to talk about fynbos and adaptations to the harsh conditions and the different pollination strategies.
CHAMELEON SANCTUARY AND CHAMELEON RESCUE PROJECT
Our chameleon enthusiasts continue to create a wonderful Chameleon Sanctuary on the Whale Coast Nature Reserve. Our committed home schoolers group still volunteer their Wednesday mornings to clear alien invasive plants. Their little hands have now pulled up 125 600 invasive alien saplings over the last five years. Periodically we check up on our reserve chameleons during the eco-adventure camps that we host in the reserve. It is extremely gratifying to observe that fynbos is re-establishing and that chameleons are spontaneously returning to the sanctuary. There are adults, juveniles and babies – meaning that they are happy and breeding.
No chameleons have had to be translocated in the past year. However, monitoring of chameleon numbers and locations within urban areas has continued and GPS coordinates were recorded for known populations. The data will be captured in a map that will assist in the management of chameleon habitats.
More trees were planted in the late Frank Woodbine’s Forest on the Whale Coast Nature Reserve.
MONTHLY TALKS
Mike Bruton, renowned South African biologist and science communicator, was the guest speaker at the WCC Annual General Meeting in September. Mike is known primarily for his work on fish biology, particularly his contributions to the study of the coelacanth. In this talk, “Ridiculous Reptiles”, Mike discussed the wonderful world of reptiles within the broader context of conservation and natural history.
In October Curtis Bailey delved into the issue of climate variability in the Greater Hermanus region. Situated in South Africa’s winter rainfall zone, this region is facing growing challenges driven by both human activity and environmental factors.
At our November talk Prof William Bond spoke about the peculiar nature of wildfires and why they sometimes jump the urban edge where there is no continuous fuel. Escaped fires can caused major damage to property and people. Fires during berg winds cause disproportionate damage and nearly all the most damaging fires in the Western Cape occurred during extreme berg wind conditions.
A near full house of members and learners from Hawston High, Gansbaai and the Cub Scouts attended a talk by Dr Lauren Waller on the future of African Penguins, especially in view of the settlement reached between penguin conservationists and the fishing industry to expand protected foraging areas for the penguins. The jury is still out!
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. We consolidated the importance of private protected areas with expos on this topic at schools in Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai.
NATURE ARTICLES
We continued our weekly articles on interesting nature topics published in The Village News. The past year saw close on 50 articles written by Anina Lee. These articles are widely appreciated by readers who frequently report learning something about nature they didn’t know before.
HAWSTON PADDAVLEI PROJECT
During November, the project employed three youths to cut reeds at the picnic area. This initiative will keep the picnic area clear so that the community is able to use it for recreation over the festive season. The Hawston Primary Eco-Club committed to cleaning litter in the Paddavlei, but soon added more activities such as clearing alien invasive plants, enjoying popping them with a tree popper.
The Paddavlei walking path was officially opened in November. Community members, PEG members, WCC staff, Hawston Primary Eco-group, the principal of Hawston Primary, Mr. Pedro, and Counsellor Afrika attended the opening of the path. A regular funrun/walk is now held every second Saturday, an activity that is becoming increasingly popular.
ECO WATCH
EcoWatch highlights 2025
Some examples of what we have investigated over the past year include:
Another iteration of a developer’s attempt to build a housing estate on a wetland.
The erf in question forms part of a large wetland system that stretches from the Bot River to the Vermont Pan in the Hermanus area. The system has been degraded over many decades through factors including infestations of Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs), past developments and ill-considered drainage systems, but is now the subject of a large-scale restoration project undertaken in sections. WCC is involved in this restoration, which is already bearing fruit. The ongoing removal of IAPs together with the predicted storm surges we are experiencing as climate change takes hold, have already increased the water in the system and the erf is likely to be increasingly severely affected.
WCC contends that no land in the system should be developed and that the authorities should compensate owners of such land. Wetlands are protected under environmental law and fulfil many ecological functions – not least being their ameliorating effects on flooding, which will obviously be increasingly important in the face of climate change. The developer has tried various designs to reduce the impact on the wetland, but negative impact there will certainly be. The erf has many layers of environmental protection under law and no development should be approved on it.
A developer’s attempt to encroach on Fernkloof Nature Reserve
The Overstrand Municipality (OM) has offered various parcels of land for sale to developers in order to boost the municipality’s coffers. One such piece borders on the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) and on scrutinising the initial proposals, WCC discovered that the erf boundaries overlapped those of FNR and that the developer intended to incorporate that land. Luckily, as a proclaimed nature reserve FNR has full legislative protection and again, the land in question has many layers of protection under environmental law, and harbours a wetland as well. It is totally unsuited to the proposed use as an upmarket retirement village.
A developer’s attempt to build a housing estate on the rocks at Struisbaai
The piece of land in question is situated on the sea-side of the coastal road through this village and some of the erven would even be within the high-water mark. Sea level rises through climate change and increasingly frequent storms are likely to exacerbate the standard rigours of living so close to our often-stormy coastline. Those for whom the rocky shores are home are at least adapted to the conditions. Many creatures also use the rocky shores as a refuge in wild weather. It’s tough enough for them, but if this proposal is approved for human habitation, all we can say to the purchasers is “good luck!”
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FINANCIAL REPORT BY TREASURER
Financial Report for the Year Ending 28 February 2025
Whale Coast Conservation (Overstrand Conservation Foundation) is grateful to report another sound financial year. Careful stewardship of resources, together with generous donor support, enabled us to continue our conservation and education efforts while strengthening our financial position.
Our income for the year came to R 1,665,526, derived mainly from donations, project funding, and grants from charitable trusts, as well as income from events and other activities.
Expenditure for the year totalled R 1,521,615. The largest portion was directed toward project implementation, staff salaries, environmental education programmes, and day-to-day operating costs. Rising expenses were offset through prudent management, ensuring the continuation of key activities without reducing their quality or reach.
At year end, the organisation recorded a net surplus of R 242,441 (2024: R 247,703). This surplus will strengthen our reserves and provide security for ongoing and future projects across the Whale Coast.
As we look to the future, our dedication to safeguarding the natural environment and encouraging sustainable lifestyles in our communities remains unwavering. We are deeply grateful to our donors, partners, and volunteers whose support makes this work possible, and we anticipate the year ahead with optimism and resolve.
For a detailed copy of the audited financials, please write to greenhouse.wcc@ gmail.com.
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OUR FUNDERS AND THE WCC TEAM
In an economic climate where charities and non-profits compete for funds, we have been reasonably successful – perhaps a tribute to the quality and value of our work.
We extend our thanks to those companies, organisations and individuals who have provided funding for our work, both now and in the past:
- AVI Community Trust
- The Joan St Leger Lindbergh Charitable Trust
- The G&R Raimondo Charitable Trust
- The Department of Forests, Fisheries and the Environment
- The Breede Gouritz Catchment Management Agency
- Hermanus Botanical Society
- Table Mountain Fund
- Overstrand Municipality
- Johan Conradie and Catherine Maxwell
- Abagold Development Trust
- Southern Right Charters
Management Board
- Dr Pat Miller (Chairperson)
- Rodney Anderson (Vice Chair)
- Michael Raimondo
- Venco Kruger (Treasurer)
- Ann Bown
- Stephanie Vegter
- Orsella Schneeberger
- Dr Anina Lee
Staff
- Sheraine Van Wyk: Programmes Manager
- Ingrid Du Plessis: Financial Administrator
- Shirley Mgoboza: Projects and Facilities Co-ordinator
The pleasure of finding things out! With Gr 10 Life Sciences learners: Gansbaai Academia Secondary School