​What is being proposed?
The proposal relates to repair and maintenance work on the Barend Koen track, including reconstruction of a bridge that was destroyed by fire approximately 27 years ago.

The route historically provided access into the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. However, since the bridge burnt down in 1999, the road has not functioned as a vehicular route and has effectively reverted to a non-mechanised track for nearly three decades.
According to the Draft EMMP, the purpose of the proposed works is to restore management access into the reserve for:

• fire management,
• invasive alien plant clearing,
• access to overnight huts and tourism infrastructure,
• and emergency response purposes.

The proposal is currently being processed as a Maintenance Management Plan rather than a full Basic Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment process.

It is also important to note that the Draft EMMP includes additional proposed road repair and maintenance work within the broader Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, including sections of road leading to the well-known Redwoods area.
Unlike the Barend Koen track, these roads do not fall within the formally declared wilderness area and therefore raise a different set of management and legal considerations. The primary concerns outlined in this article relate specifically to the proposed reopening of vehicular access into the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area itself.

​Both EMMP processes are currently open for public review and comment, and members of the public are encouraged to engage with all aspects of the proposals before the closing date for submissions on June 1st 2026.

What are some of the issues under discussion?
Several landowners and conservation stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the broader implications of reopening vehicular access into a declared wilderness area.

One of the central concerns relates to the legal definition and purpose of wilderness areas under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No 57 of 2003).

The Act defines a wilderness area as:
“an area designated … for the purpose of retaining an intrinsically wild appearance and character … which is undeveloped and roadless, without permanent improvements or human habitation.”

In addition, Section 26(2)(c) of the Act states that management should aim:

“to provide for the preservation of the area in a natural state… and to control access which, if allowed, may only be by non-mechanised means.”

For some stakeholders, the proposed repair of the bridge — and the resulting reintroduction of vehicle access into the wilderness area — raises important questions about how these provisions should be interpreted and applied.

Maintenance or re-establishment of a road?
Another key question relates to whether the proposal genuinely constitutes “maintenance” of an existing road, or whether it effectively represents the re-establishment of a vehicular route that has been non-functional for nearly 27 years.
One perspective is that the proposed works may not be defined as maintenance because:

• the road has not functioned as a normal vehicle route for decades;
• the surrounding area has effectively reverted toward a more natural wilderness state;
• and the current proposal may therefore represent a material change in use rather than routine maintenance.

This distinction might be important because different environmental and legal processes may apply depending on how the activity is classified.

​Questions regarding long-term vision and precedent

Another concern raised by stakeholders is that, while the current proposal focuses primarily on the lower bridge and access section, the practical effect of repairing the bridge would be to reopen vehicle access into the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area for the first time in almost three decades.

This raises broader questions:

• Could this become the first phase of future upgrades deeper into the wilderness area?
• How will long-term vehicle access be controlled and managed?
• Does reopening access fundamentally change the character and expectations of a wilderness landscape?

​Some stakeholders argue that wilderness areas are increasingly rare and valuable precisely because they remain remote, minimally developed, and difficult to access.

​
CapeNature’s perspective

It is also important to acknowledge that CapeNature has legitimate management responsibilities within this reserve and this road will assist them with these responsibilities.
Protected area management often requires difficult balancing decisions involving:

• fire management,
• ecological restoration,
• invasive species control,
• visitor safety,
• infrastructure maintenance,
• and public access.

CapeNature’s stated rationale for the proposed works includes improving operational access for conservation management and emergency response purposes.

​Supporters of the proposal argue that management agencies require practical access to fulfil their conservation responsibilities effectively. The current public participation process is therefore important precisely because it allows these considerations to be openly assessed and debated.

​Funding and public accountability
It is understood that the proposed works are being funded through the Department of Public Works rather than directly through CapeNature’s operational budget. These funds are allocated through a separate infrastructure funding mechanism and may not simply be transferable to other conservation programmes. Nevertheless, they remain public funds intended to support public conservation infrastructure and management.

As such, there is a legitimate public interest in whether reopening vehicular access into a wilderness area represents an appropriate and strategically justified use of state resources, particularly given the broader funding pressures facing conservation agencies across South Africa.

Some stakeholders argue that, in the current financial climate, any investment directed toward conservation landscapes and protected area infrastructure is valuable and should be welcomed. Others question whether, within a constrained conservation funding environment, the long-term ecological and policy implications of reopening this route into a wilderness area have been adequately considered and publicly justified.

Consultation and stakeholder engagement
Given that neighbouring landowners effectively sit at the gateway to these areas and play an important role in the surrounding conservation landscape, they need to be actively engaged in finding an appropriate way forward.

​Why public participation matters
This proposal raises broader questions that extend beyond a single road or bridge.
At its core, the discussion concerns:

• how wilderness areas should be managed,
• how protected area legislation should be interpreted,
• how conservation priorities are funded,
• and how South Africa balances access, tourism, infrastructure, and wilderness protection in increasingly pressured landscapes.

Regardless of one’s position on the proposal itself, these are important public-interest issues that warrant informed discussion and meaningful public participation.

What is the problem with phosphates?

​Phosphates are commonly used in laundry and dishwashing detergents to soften water and improve cleaning efficiency. However, once they enter our waterways, they increase nutrient levels.This leads to a process called eutrophication, where excessive nutrients cause rapid algae and plant growth:

• Algae blooms block sunlight
• Oxygen levels in the water drop
• Fish and aquatic life suffocate
• Biodiversity declines dramatically

Studies show that phosphate pollution is one of the major threats to freshwater systems in South Africa (South African Journal of Science, 2017). While agricultural fertilisers are a significant contributor, household detergents also add to this nutrient load—and everyday use quickly accumulates. When detergents enter waterways, they can accelerate algae growth and reduce oxygen levels, effectively turning rivers into “toxic systems” for aquatic life (International Journal of Environmental Research, 2024).

For many conservation projects, success is measured in hectares restored, invasive species removed, or trees planted. While these ecological indicators are critical, they overlook a vitally important question:
How does restoration change the lives of the people doing the work?

In 2024, we started implementing a restoration project supported by the IKI Small Grants programme, part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Government. From the outset, the project was designed with two equally important goals: restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening the livelihoods and skills of the local people working in these landscapes.
​
While the ecological outcomes focused on restoring forests, the project also aimed to create meaningful employment opportunities, build restoration skills, and deepen participants’ connection to the natural environment.

To better understand these social outcomes, we conducted a social and livelihood assessment among restoration team members who participated in the project.

Some of these results are summarised below

In rural areas, employment opportunities are often seasonal and unpredictable. Many households depend on a combination of temporary work and social grants. Before the project began, more than half of the surveyed participants reported experiencing months with no income at all during the year. By the end of the project, that situation had changed dramatically.

None of the participants in our follow-up survey reported experiencing months without income.
Restoration work created more consistent employment by expanding the types of work that teams could perform throughout the year.

Tasks included:

• alien invasive plant clearing
• erosion rehabilitation
• seed collection
• nursery propagation
• trail maintenance
• wetland restoration activities

Because some of these activities can continue during bad weather—particularly nursery work—participants were less vulnerable to income interruptions caused by rain. For many families, this stability makes a profound difference.

​"For the first time I had income every month. It helped my family so much.”

​One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the expansion of restoration skills among participants. At the start of the project, workers typically performed around six different restoration tasks.

By the end of the project, the average number of tasks had more than doubled to nearly fifteen different skills per person.
Participants learned new techniques such as:

• plant identification
• seed collection and processing
• nursery propagation
• erosion control methods
• ecological restoration planning
• safe use of specialised tools

These skills increase employability and make restoration teams more resilient to changes in the types of work available.

​Several participants reflected that they now feel more confident in their abilities:

“I used to only do clearing, but now I can do nursery work, erosion control and seed collecting.”

​The project also created important opportunities for women.
Historically, much conservation work has focused on physically demanding activities such as cutting and stacking trees and chainsaw work. Restoration work, however, includes a wider range of activities—many of which provide opportunities for different skills and physical capacities. As a result, women in the project experienced some of the largest gains in skills and income diversity.
On average, women more than tripled the number of restoration tasks they were able to perform, and many expanded their income sources significantly.
This diversification can be particularly important because women often carry a large share of household financial responsibility.

While the economic and skills benefits were significant, some of the most powerful changes were more personal. Participants spoke about how working in restoration changed the way they see the landscape around them. Many described developing a deeper appreciation for fynbos ecosystems, rivers, and wetlands. Several participants expressed that they now notice plants, birds, and signs of ecological recovery in ways they never did before.
As one participant shared:
“I didn’t understand fynbos before. Now I want to protect it.”
Another said:
“Working in the mountain changed how I feel inside.”

​For many team members, restoration work has become more than just employment. It has created a sense of pride in contributing to the recovery of landscapes that sustain local communities.

Conservation is often framed as protecting nature for its own sake. But healthy ecosystems and thriving communities are deeply interconnected. Our experience shows that restoration work can help people reconnect with nature, while also improving livelihoods. These social benefits are often overlooked, yet they may be some of the most powerful long-term outcomes of conservation efforts. ​The findings from this assessment reinforce something that is core to our organisation:
Restoration is not only about repairing ecosystems—it is also about strengthening the relationship between people and the landscapes they depend on.
As restoration work continues in the Grootvadersbosch area, we hope to build on these social gains while continuing to restore the rivers and mountains that sustain our region.

And links to videos are here 


The full report is available below:

Strengthening the National Response
​
In a major step towards controlling the outbreak, the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development recently announced the arrival of the first shipment of one million high-potency FMD vaccines. These vaccines form part of a broader national plan to bring more than five million doses into the country, helping expand vaccination programmes in high-risk areas (Government of South Africa, 2026).
Vaccines are being distributed to several provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape (Government of South Africa, 2026).
 
However, vaccination alone is not enough. The Department continues to emphasise strict livestock movement controls, improved surveillance, and strong farm biosecurity to slow the spread of the disease.

Recognising the Symptoms
​
Early detection plays a crucial role in limiting the spread of FMD. Farmers and livestock owners should keep an eye out for the following signs in cattle and other susceptible animals:

• High fever
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Blisters or sores on the tongue, mouth, gums or lips
• Blisters between the hooves or around the feet
• Lameness or reluctance to walk
• Sudden drop in milk production
• Loss of appetite and weakness
  
  

These blisters often burst and leave painful sores, making it difficult for animals to eat or move.

​
 
Practical Steps Farmers Can Take

Preventing the spread of FMD often comes down to good everyday farm management practices. Farmers can help protect their livestock by:

• Limiting unnecessary movement of animals between farms
• Avoiding the introduction of animals without proper health checks
• Cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, boots and equipment entering the farm
• Restricting visitor access to livestock areas
• Monitoring animals daily for early signs of disease

By staying informed and following biosecurity guidelines, farmers and communities can play an important role in protecting livestock and supporting the resilience of South Africa’s agricultural sector.




References:


Www.gov.za. (2026). Agriculture on arrival of vaccines accelerates national war against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) | South African Government. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/agriculture-arrival-vaccines-accelerates-national-war-against-foot-and-mouth 

World Organisation for Animal Health (2023). Foot and mouth disease. [online] WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/disease/foot-and-mouth-disease/ 

 
​Environmental DNA (eDNA) testing from SAIAB

In late January, we had the privilege of hosting experts from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity as part of our Reverse the Red project. Over the course of a week, environmental DNA (eDNA) samples were collected throughout the Huis River and Tradouw River. This cutting-edge method allows scientists to detect which fish species are present in the water, even when they have not been observed.
​
This expedition marked one of the first occasions on which this sampling work has been conducted in the Western Cape, making the visit particularly meaningful. Our team gained valuable insight into the process and its importance for freshwater conservation in our region. We look forward to sharing the results in the coming months.

Nursery addition - Wetland Plant System

​We are excited to share that our Wetland Plant System (aquatic nursery section) is officially up and running!

Luckily, last year's Grand Nursery Tour in May and the visits we had to other wastewater treatment works gave us a good idea of how simple a system can work without overcomplicating it. Incorporating wetlands into almost any system can work; just have to start somewhere.

For our system, we wanted to mimic the ‘flow’ of a river, providing them with the next best-suited home until they are replanted. We use a gravity-fed system and a pump that keeps the flow moving, and all wood used in the system was sourced from alien invasive species removed from a nearby farm, including Gum and Black Wattle, turning a ‘pest’ into a resource.

​For gravity-fed, we had to elevate some areas because digging down was going to be an expensive route. So, we reused some old bathtubs that were donated to act as the elevated part of this system. We also dug a little bit, 2 pools to be exact, and lined them with sturdy plastic. PVC piping is used throughout, but any type of aquarium or irrigation piping will work too. 

Once the baths were filled, we realised that the amount of water was going to drown our water plants. We brained stormed and added some shelves (made of chicken wire and gumwood) that are balanced with cement blocks. Lifting the plants so that they are just below the water line. We covered the area with 40% shade net to minimise evaporation from our pools, which also provides shading during the summer months.
 
The system is now home to a growing collection of wetland plants such as Wachendorfia sp., Juncus sp., and Kniphofia sp., with additional species being introduced as space and conditions allow. These plants are being cultivated specifically for use in our ongoing project supported by WWF. The propagated plants will play a vital role in supporting a dam in Barrydale. Once established, the vegetation will help improve water quality by naturally filtering incoming water, stabilising soil through dense root systems, and reducing erosion along the channels.

We are excited for this new phase and for its new opportunities – thank you to WWF and Chevening Alumni for making this possible. 

​Conservation Intern
​ 
Lastly, we want to announce an addition to the team, Sibella Louw, a conservation intern from George NMU. She will be doing her practical year with us, so if you see her, say hello and ask her about insects, reptiles, and amphibians (her favourites!).

For her practical year with us, she needs to give a presentation on a specific topic each month. January's topic was reptiles and February was on amphibians (we included a snippet about a few species found here at the Conservancy below).

​We will be sharing her presentations with everyone on our socials, so stay tuned for that. 

The programme is guided by leading scientists and conservation advocates, including the IUCN Species Survival Commission, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Zoological Society of London.
 
The winners were announced at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 11 October. Grootvadersbosch Conservancy General Manager Aileen Anderson was there to accept the award.

A species facing multiple pressures
 
“Winning this prize is a huge honour,” says Anderson. “We were up against major environmental organisations from across the globe, all doing incredible work to protect their own threatened species. This award is not only a testament to the work of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, but also a reminder of the massive threats facing this freshwater fish.”
 
The Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) occurs only in the Huis River, which runs through the town of Barrydale. Here it faces multiple pressures: invasive alien fish that prey on and outcompete it, invasive alien plants that degrade the riverbanks and destroy habitat, and ongoing water abstraction in a system already vulnerable to drought.
 
The Huis River is also vital for local people – providing water for the town of Barrydale and supporting nearby farming operations. Ensuring its health is therefore crucial both for people and for the redfin.

​Restoring a river
 
To address these threats, the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy launched a project to protect the Tradouw redfin. This included clearing invasive alien plants along a 7km stretch of the river and rehabilitating the banks with indigenous plants sourced from the local area, including the  Conservancy’s nursery. The project not only improved habitat for indigenous fish but also created employment for previously unemployed community members.
 
To reduce water pressure on the system, the Conservancy is working with the Barrydale community and the local municipality to improve the water efficiency of the system, helping reduce dependence on the river during dry spells. Awareness campaigns – including signage, open days and workshops – helped residents understand the importance of the Huis River’s health and the plight of its unique species. The current and planned activities are integrated into a Species Action Plan developed in conjunction with government partners. This will ensure ongoing support for the collective action needed to protect the species and sustain actions in the longer term.
 
“Our goal was to improve the overall health and quality of the Huis River system,” says Anderson, “and to encourage everyone who depends on the river to use it with care and understanding. At the same time we’re looking to establish additional safe refuges for the redfin.”

The meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the critical role the Huis River plays in the community and environment and to celebrate the activities of the past year. The town and surrounding farms rely entirely on this river for water, yet the area is already experiencing water stress, especially during the summer months. With ongoing drought and the impacts of climate change, these challenges are expected to intensify. The Huis River is also home to the critically endangered Tradouw River Redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli). Found only within a small portion of the Tradouw and Huis catchments, this species is a vital indicator of river health. Protecting the redfin and its habitat is therefore crucial for the broader ecological health of the river system.

You can comment on this plan here: ​ forms.gle/K8CwvM92dboJehsb8

The workshop focused on the national DWS project to update the Present Ecological State, Ecological Importance, and Ecological Sensitivity (PES, EI & ES) through a Desktop PESEIS assessment. This project, lead by Blue Science, aimed  to assess the current ecological status of rivers in the Western Cape and will contribute data to the national Present Ecological Status (PES) Project.

As the project nears completion, workshops like this are being held to support capacity building and knowledge sharing. While much of the work was done through desktop assessments, site visits are now being conducted to compare data and confirm whether the ecological conditions observed in the field match those indicated in the assessments. 

A Biodiversity Management Plan for a Species (BMP-S) is a formal conservation plan developed under South African law (specifically the Biodiversity Act, 2004) to help protect and recover endangered species and their habitats. It brings together all the important people and organisations involved—like government departments, local municipalities, scientists, landowners, and communities—to agree on clear goals and actions to help save a species.

Although this project was initially funded to develop a Species Action Plan for the Tradouw redfin, we are choosing to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) because it offers stronger and more lasting benefits. A BMP follows a similar process to a Species Action Plan but goes further—it becomes a recognised document under South African law, supporting more formal commitment from all responsible parties.

Importantly, a BMP can unlock additional conservation benefits, such as tax incentives for landowners who help protect the species and its habitat. This can play a vital role in building long-term support for redfin conservation. The project is supported by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN), the WWF Nedbank Green Fund, and the IUCN Save Our Species (SOS) programme.
​
The main aim of this workshop was to define clear actions and responsibilities that form the focus of the BMP. These actions include managing habitats more effectively, increasing community awareness, controlling invasive species, and strengthening long-term water resource monitoring. All discussions focused on ensuring that our conservation strategies meet both the ecological needs of the species and the water security needs of the local Barrydale community 

We were joined by key stakeholders and specialists, that now form part of the Working Group for the Tradouw Redfin BMP, including:
·        Department of Agriculture
·        Swellendam Municipality
·        CapeNature
·        Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP)
·        Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR)
·        WWF Freshwater Programme
·        Freshwater Research Centre
·        Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency

Wesley introduced us to a whole new world hidden beneath our feet, the complex and essential ecosystem of soil microorganisms. Through practical demonstrations and expert insights, we learned how healthy soil is the foundation of any productive landscape. When soil ecosystems are in balance, they provide plants with the nutrients they need to improve water retention and increase overall resilience to drought and disease.
​
One of the most exciting parts of the workshop was the microscope session, where we examined soil samples up close and got to see the microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and much more that live in the soil. These tiny life forms might be invisible to the naked eye, but they are critical to soil health. Continuously disturbing the soil will hinder these little microbial organisms, making the soil unfit for them to live in, and will result in an infertile soil ecosystem with degraded plant growth.

Wesley showed us that by identifying the microorganisms present in the soil, we can better understand what is missing or out of balance. Whether certain microbes are lacking or others are overly dominant, this knowledge allows us to assess the situation and introduce natural microbial elements—such as compost teas or organic amendments—to help restore balance. This targeted, nature-based approach enables landowners, conservationist and farmers to regenerate their land in a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way.
​
The workshop also covered practical topics such as soil sampling techniques, making organic compost suited to the plant species that are growing within our nursery, and the principles of regenerative agriculture. The training also focused on better understanding the microorganisms that live in water and within wetland soils. This is essential as we embark on new projects that focus on the wetland environment and to help us better understand our river health. It was an inspiring session filled with knowledge, laughter, and muddy hands, and it was the best kind of learning!  We were also happy to include our partners at the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve to attend this training.

​Thank you to Linda Oosthuizen, who made contact with SoilScopes through a prize that she won for us on Facebook. The prize included some free microbial testing, free soil manuals and a compost thermometer. We were then able to use our funding from IUCN and IKI Small Grants to obtain this more in depth training. This opened a whole new field for us that will improve our conservation efforts in both our Alien Clearing and Restoration Projects!