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FARMERS AND LAND USERS IN THE GROOTVADERSBOSCH VALLEY, BETWEEN HEIDELBERG AND SUURBRAAK IN THE WESTERN CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA, REALISED TWO THINGS IN THE 1990'S: |
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• We are the custodians of beautiful and important ecosystems;
• And we were facing similar challenges in protecting our ecosystems which provide vital natural services for landuse activities. So in 1992, we joined forces – to form the FIRST conservancy in the Western Cape. |
WE STRUCTURED OURSELVES – AND REGISTERED – AS A NON-PROFIT TRUST, PROMOTING CONSERVATION ON PRIVATE LAND IN GROOTVADERBOSCH. |
And today we have 19 members (landowners), covering an area of 25, 000 hectares in the Grootvadersbosch valley
(in the Overberg and Eden District Municipalities). We’re neighbours to the CapeNature-managed
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. You’ll find three registered stewardship sites in our conservancy.
Members of the conservancy are long-standing commercial farmers who care about the lands' agricultural and conservation value. We work together to keep these mutually-dependant elements in harmony. We have the HIGHEST percentage of jersey cows outside of the UK, we also undertake various other stock farming (sheep, Fleckvieh dairy, beef cattle, goats, buffalo), as well as wheat. Most of our milk goes for cheese production because of the very high butter fat content.
Our members receive considerable benefits from being part of the conservancy including financial assistance for alien clearing, tourism promotion, assistance with fire planning and collaboration in firefighting, and collective benefits from centralised security cameras.
(in the Overberg and Eden District Municipalities). We’re neighbours to the CapeNature-managed
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. You’ll find three registered stewardship sites in our conservancy.
Members of the conservancy are long-standing commercial farmers who care about the lands' agricultural and conservation value. We work together to keep these mutually-dependant elements in harmony. We have the HIGHEST percentage of jersey cows outside of the UK, we also undertake various other stock farming (sheep, Fleckvieh dairy, beef cattle, goats, buffalo), as well as wheat. Most of our milk goes for cheese production because of the very high butter fat content.
Our members receive considerable benefits from being part of the conservancy including financial assistance for alien clearing, tourism promotion, assistance with fire planning and collaboration in firefighting, and collective benefits from centralised security cameras.
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Did you know: Grootvadersbosch is literally translated
as Big Father’s Trees. This is named after
Roelof Oelofse, the owner of the land in the 1700s,
who was known as ‘groot vader’ in the community.
WHY SHOULD THIS VALLEY
BE PROTECTED?
The Grootvadersbosch valley is home to Fynbos, Afromontane forest and Renosterveld (which is critically endangered).
And these in turn are home to many special species. Some (like the Cape Ghost Frog and Grootvadersbosch Dwarf Chameleon)
are found ONLY here.
And these in turn are home to many special species. Some (like the Cape Ghost Frog and Grootvadersbosch Dwarf Chameleon)
are found ONLY here.
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The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy also
lies in a mountain catchment area.
And there are entire towns and communities downstream from us who depend on this water. For example, the Duiwenhoks catchment is classified as a National Fresh Water Ecosystem Priority Area. And the wetlands here are considered to be priority wetlands in terms of biodiversity importance.
But before our conservancy formed, these natural areas were threatened by agricultural expansion,
overgrazing, and poor fire management.
NOW, working at a strategic level, we together
restore and maintain our natural resources.
But before our conservancy formed, these natural areas were threatened by agricultural expansion,
overgrazing, and poor fire management.
NOW, working at a strategic level, we together
restore and maintain our natural resources.
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The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy has won number of prizes, including;
- Gold Award Winner of Cape Fox award for best conservancy in Eastern Region (2015)
- Gold Award Winner of Cape Fox award for best conservancy in Eastern Region (2018)
- Awarded to Aileen Anderson and Ricardo Januarie for best conservancy managers (2017)
- Third place internationally in the European Outdoor Association funding vote (2017)
- Special CapeNature Conservation award to Keith and Michelle Moodie for outstanding contribution
to biodiversity in the Western Cape (2015)
- AND we're an active member of Conservation At Work
- Gold Award Winner of Cape Fox award for best conservancy in Eastern Region (2018)
- Awarded to Aileen Anderson and Ricardo Januarie for best conservancy managers (2017)
- Third place internationally in the European Outdoor Association funding vote (2017)
- Special CapeNature Conservation award to Keith and Michelle Moodie for outstanding contribution
to biodiversity in the Western Cape (2015)
- AND we're an active member of Conservation At Work
"Absolutely stunning!!!! If you love to MTB, or trail run,
get out on the well created and maintained trails.
With black, red, blue and green routes, there's something
for all enthusiasts.”
- Zoe Merson-Davies
THE
TEAM
EMPLOYMENTOf course – we need a team to manage the conservancy. We have four full-time employees – under the management of Aileen Anderson.
General Manager (Aileen Anderson) Alien Clearing Manger (Ricardo Januarie) Office Administrator (Linda Oosthuizen) Nursery Manager and Fire Officer (Goliath "Twakkie" Highburg) Assistant Restoration Manager (Jessi Venter) Restoration Manager (Corne Brink) Quality Controller (Philip Daries) Bernice Niewwoudt (Bookkeeper) Darren Blom (Financial Manager) We also employ around 130 people in our projects – like our invasive alien clearing programme. They are employed through 10 trusted contractors who run their own small businesses. Our PBO no is: 18/11/4506 |
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THE BOARDThe conservancy is overseen by a board, made up of:
Keith Moodie (Chair) John Moodie Chris Maartens An active conservancy committee provides input on operations and activities. Committee members are: Keith Moodie (Chair) Nico de Kock (Treasurer) John Moodie Niels Uys Aileen Anderson Jonathan Barry |
CONTACT THE
GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY
OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 730 to 4pm. We are closed every second Friday.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)
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phone |
066 587 3553
(whatsapp) |
address |
