Discovering the Stories Written in Stone

Our first speaker, Nic Wiltshire from eCRAg, took us into the fascinating world of rock paintings and the stories they can tell us about the people and landscapes of the past.
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Nic spoke about the importance of protecting rock paintings, how their age can be determined, how they change over time, and some of the incredible information that can be gathered from these ancient artworks. Nic dubbed one of our newest Landowner Committee members, Michael Raimondo, the “super user” for contributing to the records of new sites in the area.

Michael has been doing incredible work recording rock paintings throughout the Grootvadersbosch Valley, including many paintings that had never been formally recorded before.

One particularly interesting feature Nic highlighted was the presence of dogs in some of the paintings. This appears to be less common in rock art from other parts of the region, making these local records even more fascinating and valuable.
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It was a wonderful reminder that conservation is not only about protecting plants, animals and rivers but it is also about understanding and protecting the cultural heritage that forms part of our landscape.

 
The Benefits of Biodiversity Stewardship

​Our second speaker, Barbara Seele from Conservation Outcomes, spoke about Biodiversity Stewardship and why it can be such an important tool for private landowners.
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With so much of South Africa's biodiversity occurring on privately owned land, landowners have an important role to play in protecting our natural heritage.

Barbara shared the benefits of formally protecting properties through mechanisms such as Nature Reserves and Protected Environments, and why landowners should consider what these options could mean for the long-term conservation of their land.
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Biodiversity Stewardship can provide an opportunity to recognise the conservation value of privately owned properties while supporting landowners in managing and protecting these important natural areas.

Thank you to Conservation Outcomes for their incredible insights and work that they do and to the National Geographic Society for supporting our work. 

Celebrating Our GVB Team

​The AGM also gave our own GVB team members an opportunity to share their respective roles, projects and the work happening throughout the Conservancy. From alien clearing and restoration to environmental education, river monitoring and community engagement, there is a huge amount happening across the Grootvadersbosch landscape.

​Some of the projects currently underway which were showcased at the AGM include:

Alien Clearing
Our alien clearing activities continue with the support of LandCare, who have dedicated many years of funding towards our efforts to control invasive alien vegetation within our region. This ongoing work is vital for protecting our indigenous vegetation, water resources and biodiversity of our local communities and private land.

Restoration through WWF Nedbank Green Trust

Our restoration work also continues in the town of Barrydale, where we are working towards establishing a functioning wetland that can naturally filter and improve the quality of water flowing into the river system.

Healthy wetland plants play an important role in slowing water flow, trapping sediments and filtering pollutants before they reach our rivers. By establishing this important system, we help to protect the Tradouw redfin and its habitat and the overall health of the rivers
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This is another example of how restoring natural ecosystems can have benefits that extend far beyond a single site, helping to protect biodiversity, provide water resources for people and the species that depend on them. 

We also got creative in improving how we transport plants and built an extra shelf for our bakkie. This allows us to bring additional plants to site! 

Growing Pride: Community champions for indigenous green spaces - Table Mountain Fund Project 

This project builds on eleven years of working with alien clearing and restoration teams across the greater Grootvadersbosch landscape. It aims to strengthen the connection between restoration work and a deeper appreciation for the indigenous vegetation being protected, particularly the unique value of fynbos.

Through workshops and practical engagement, participants will learn more about indigenous plants and their ecological, cultural and everyday value. The project will then support local champions in local communities to establish small indigenous green spaces, including backyard gardens or other spaces, using indigenous and medicinal plants.

By bringing these medicinal and edible plants into people's own communities and everyday lives, the project aims to build a greater sense of pride, ownership and care for our indigenous biodiversity.

Protecting Leucadendron tradouwense - Conservation Leadership Programme
We are also implementing important conservation work on the Critically Endangered Leucadendron tradouwense through our Conservation Leadership Programme project (CLP). The project includes monitoring the remaining wild population and implementing additional conservation measures to help protect this incredibly rare species and support its recovery. ​With only two known remaining wild population, every effort counts.

The night was also celebrated with amazing food from the Grootvadersbosch Farm and excellent wine from McFarlane wines!

​Thank you to the wine maker who gave an outstanding presentation on these very special wines. 

Our AGM is always a valuable opportunity to look back at what we have achieved the past year, and also, just as importantly, to look ahead at what still needs to be done and why we continue to do the work that we do!

A huge thank you to our speakers, landowners, committee members, team, funders and supporters for being part of another successful AGM and for continuing to contribute to the conservation of the Grootvadersbosch landscape.

Cheers to another year of learning, working together and protecting the incredible biodiversity and heritage of our Conservancy! 

Fortunately, the bacteria are not harmful to humans. However, the negative effect they have on bee populations is a real concern, not only for honey production, but as honey bees are responsible for the pollination of crops in the Western Cape, they are a real threat our food security. A threat to bees means that farmers suffer in general. Beekeepers depend on honey sales. Agriculture depends on bees to ensure fruit and seed set.

John Moodie, a Western Cape beekeeper, estimates that he has lost over 50% of his bees in the last year. This is partially due to the disease, but it cannot be attributed to the disease alone, as there are other factors that have affected bee populations. There was a serious drought during 2025 and 2026, as well as widespread wildfires in the beginning of 2026. In addition, many bee farms are surrounded by commercial crops where pesticides are sprayed, accounting for further losses. Bee forage is limited and the eradication of gums as invasive plants has reduced bee forage in the Western Cape even further. All these factors together, result in stress for the honey bees, weakening their immune systems, making them more susceptible to the P. larvae bacteria, resulting in a build-up of spores with clinical symptoms of the disease in the bee colonies.

There is a distinction in infection rates between domesticated bees and wild bee populations. Wild bees seem to be far less affected by AFB than domesticated bee populations. This is not because they are not able to get the disease, but because domesticated bee populations are kept in much more concentrated apiary sites than wild bees, and this increases their risk of infection.

​P. larvae arrived in the Western Cape in 2009 when infected honey was imported without being irradiated. The bacteria reproduce through spores, which can be spread by bees, honey, clothing, hive frames, or contaminated pollen. These spores can survive for many years and withstand temperatures between -14°C and 160°C. Spores can exist in a bee population before symptoms start showing in larva deaths.

In 2013 control measure regulations were introduced by the government based on the Agriculture Pest Act No 36 - Regulation 1674 - because AFB is a certifiable disease and needs to be reported.  All bee hives in South Africa have to be marked with a number and all beekeepers need to register with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) on a bi-annual basis. This makes it possible for government to keep a record of bees and track the spread of AFB.  The problem is that there are very few officials in place to enforce these regulations and regulations are in the process of being revised. Beekeepers do not share information about their hives easily and this also makes it difficult to keep accurate records of the spread of the disease.

There are various management requirements set out in the regulations. In America chemicals such as tetracycline are used to treat the disease, but these treatments are not recommended in South Africa, because they have not been tested thoroughly enough. There is also a risk that the P. larvae bacteria become resistant to these antibiotics, making it an even bigger problem. Other countries (such as New Zealand) burn all bees, equipment, clothes and hives that may be infected with the disease. The executive officer in South Africa may issue such a recommendation but only once all recommended management practices have been exhausted.

This is a not a happy scenario for bees, beekeepers and growers. Honey bees are truly essential for the environment and for food security. If stresses on the bee population lead to serious clinical symptoms in the bee population, then there will not be sufficient worker bees to cover crops. A shortage of bees will have a serious impact on our lives, not limited to a shortage of honey, but also a shortage of all other foods that rely on honey bees for primary pollination.

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​​The good news is that vaccines have now been rolled out across local dairy herds, and we are finally in a position to begin the process of reopening the trails. Unfortunately, the closure period coincided with several other major events that have significantly impacted the trail network. As a result, reopening the trails is not that simple. Just before the trails were closed, a large wildfire burnt through approximately 30% of the trail network. The fire damaged trail infrastructure, destroyed signage, burnt fence crossings and left several sections vulnerable to erosion. Since then, severe storms, strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused additional damage, including fallen trees, washed-out sections and further deterioration of trail infrastructure.

​Over the coming months we will be working carefully through the network to assess and restore damaged sections. This work includes removing fallen trees, repairing and replacing essential trail bridges and crossings, restoring signage, addressing erosion issues and ensuring that routes can be reopened safely.

However, one of the greatest challenges lies beyond the trail damage.

​Following wildfire, invasive alien plants such as black wattle regenerate rapidly and can quickly dominate burnt landscapes if left unmanaged. The invasive plants threaten biodiversity, increases future fire risk and can ultimately make restoration far more costly and difficult. We therefore have a limited window of opportunity to act. Our priority is not only to reopen the trails, but also to work with landowners to manage invasive regrowth and restore these landscapes before the problem becomes significantly larger. This work is both labour-intensive and expensive. The prolonged trail closure has reduced income that would normally contribute towards trail maintenance, while landowners have also been dealing with the impacts of fire, storms and the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to restoring the trail network and supporting the conservation of the landscapes through which it passes.

We would particularly like to thank our landowners for their continued stewardship of this special landscape and for their willingness to once again allow access across their properties. Without their ongoing support, the Grootvadersbosch trail network would not exist. The trails will remain closed while this essential work is undertaken. We will continue to provide updates as progress is made and will announce the reopening of individual sections as they become safe and ready for use.

​If all goes according to plan, we hope to begin welcoming riders back to the Grootvadersbosch trails within the next 2 months.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding and continued support as we work to restore both the trails and the landscapes that make them so special.

​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.

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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.
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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.
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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.”