Overberg media trip: Flower Valley Farm (part 8)
The rationale behind the Flower Valley Conservation Trust (FVCT) is straight-forward: “… if we pick all the fynbos this year, there will be no fynbos to pick in the future” (Van Deventer et al, 2015).
Overberg media trip: fynbos packhouse (part 7)
The world is divided into six floral kingdoms, according to the plant types occurring in each given region. The smallest and richest of these is the Cape Floral Kingdom, found only in the southern tip of Africa – in the Western Cape through to Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape – and nowhere else in the world.
Overberg media trip: A research centre and a place to stay (part 6)
On our second day, the Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve and its Research and Visitor Centre were on the agenda. It was an overcast day, and we travelled with the promise of rain in the air.
Overberg media trip: stabilising soil structures (part 5)
In this country, soil erosion is a crucial concern (Le Roux & Smith, 2014), and so I was particularly interested to view the ORCT’s work in this regard.
Overberg media trip: Conservation management – what’s in it for farmers? (part 4)
The aim of the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT)’s efforts is to improve habitat condition and increase ecosystem resilience. When you are looking after nature, it looks after you.
Overberg media trip: the choice to go left instead of straight (part 2)
We arrived at the river where Lynch addressed us on the surprising find: Heuningnes redfin minnow living in watercourses that seemed unsuitable for indigenous fish.
Overberg media trip: setting the stage (part 1)
I had done a quick reconnaissance of Napier, the Overberg Renosterveld and fynbos before setting out on the field trip – but no amount of desk research prepares you for the open spaces of the Overberg!
Farmers, bankers, conservationists (part 2)
Some farmers might seem to make it all look so easy! Perhaps they do, but it wouldn’t do them justice to leave it there. The ease with which everything comes together speaks of much that went before – but we’ll get to that shortly
Farmers, bankers, conservationists (part 3)
Upon arrival at Treetops Farm, we had refreshments and the first of the presentations.
Farmers, bankers, conservationists (part 1)
I was part of a press contingent ushered to various projects in KwaZulu-Natal last week – 12th and 13th November. Our hosts were a combined team from Nedbank and World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF SA)