beginning 2026 with a bang

​As the new year begins, we’re filled with excitement for what lies ahead at the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy.

We certainly didn’t ease into January. A serious wildfire swept through the Grootvadersbosch Valley, turning the landscape into a scene of urgency. In the face of a threat far greater than any single landowner or team could handle, the community came together in an inspiring show of solidarity. Firefighters, neighbouring landowners, and support teams worked side by side, sharing resources, information, and support. Despite challenging flare-ups, the outcome could have been far worse.  We are grateful that damage to infrastructure was minimal, and even more grateful for the people who stood together when it mattered most.
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The total area burned was estimated at 6,310 hectares, including Renosterveld, Fynbos, and the forest boundaries (forests play a major role in controlling fires and cooling them down; that is one of the reasons we protect them!).

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved, from those on the fire lines to those coordinating communications, to the many who prepared and delivered food parcels to keep teams going.

 
​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
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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.