Celebrating a Decade of Conservation: Grootvadersbosch Conservancy AGM

This year’s AGM was a special occasion as we celebrated 10 years of active project implementation, alongside highlighting the impactful work of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy across a range of environmental projects. What started with the employment of our first 3 full-time staff members has grown into a thriving organization, now employing 10 full-time, while creating contract work for over 120 people annually.
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A Decade of Alien Clearing
One of our most significant achievements over the past decade has been our alien clearing program. Since 2014, we’ve successfully cleared 18,823 hectares, with follow-ups on 15,870 hectares, creating over 100,747 days of employment. On average, this translates to 43 full-time jobs each year. This program not only provides job opportunities but also ensures the preservation and health of our local ecosystems, protecting them from alien invasive species and providing the natural vegetation to grow back.

​Expanding into Restoration
Thanks to funding from the IKI small grant and IUCN, our restoration projects have expanded over the past year. The restoration work supports sustainable agricultural practices, healthier river systems, job opportunities, and capacity building. These efforts are crucial for climate stability and river security, as well as for maintaining biodiversity. We've trained over 20 people in restoration work where half of the time is spent working within a nursery, how to propagate local indigenous species, how to do cuttings and splitting, and the correct planting methods.
Our work in active restoration spans 3 different sites, including private landowners and public areas, showcasing diversity, in both species and partnerships, which is key to building environmental resilience.

​Keynote Address: River Restoration and Agriculture
Our keynote speaker, Dana Grobler, shared his invaluable insights on river restoration, using his experience with various river systems as an example. Dana’s talk focused on the impact of agriculture on the environment, particularly on river systems, and how sustainable practices can mitigate these effects. He emphasized the importance of understanding river geomorphology and the natural flood zones to implement effective restoration strategies. His close collaboration with landowners has resulted in improvements to their local environment and enhanced the health of their rivers.
Through the removal of invasive species and better management of sediment transport, Dana's efforts have shown how landowners can contribute to restoring riparian zones, creating a balance that benefits both the environment and the agricultural landscape.

Dana Grobler

​A Journey Through Time with Thys Swart
Another highlight of the day was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, presented by one of our members, Thys Swart. Thys captivated the audience with stories about the rich history of theGrootvadersbosch Valley, dating back to the 1700s. He shared fascinating tales about the first settlers, the old farms, and how the conservancy has evolved over the centuries. This historical perspective added depth to the celebration and left everyone feeling more connected to the land we are working to protect.

Thys Swart, giving us a ride down memory lane and interesting history facts of the GVB era

New Projects and Looking Ahead
We’re excited to announce our upcoming three-year project, funded by the Nedbank Green Trust, which will focus on water resource protection in the Tradouw and Huis river systems. This project is a continuation of our partnership with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve and aims to further our conservation and restoration efforts in the region.
Additionally, we’ve recently assisted to restoration the Barrydale Caravan Park, which now features a medicinal and useful plant garden, indigenous tree rehabilitation, and a picnic area. This area serves both as a conservation effort and a recreational space for the community to enjoy.
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The Future is Bright
As we look forward, we remain committed to furthering our restoration and conservation work. We are proud of what we have achieved over the past decade and are excited about the future projects we have planned. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient environment for the Grootvadersbosch area and beyond.

And as always, we had a wonderful wine tasting the evening of the fabulous Olifantsberg Wines and a fantastic meal from the Grootvadersbosch Farm that Michelle Moodie prepared

Thank you to everyone who attended!