Image related to website content

2025 Conservation Review Highlights Biodiversity

27 Jun 2025

CapeNature showcased its significant achievements in conservation operations and exceptional biodiversity protection over the past year.

The central message throughout the event and central to the theme was an emphasis on the successful partnerships the Entity has cultivated with stakeholders. Many of these partners were also in attendance, showcasing delivery on collaborative projects. The Entity relies on the productive co-operation of many partners to successfully execute its mandate in the Western Cape.

The two-day event, held at the University of Western Cape’s Life Sciences Auditorium on 26 and 27 June, aligned to the theme “Adapting Together: Forging a Resilient Tomorrow”, featured lively panel discussions with both CapeNature and partner panellists on several conservation and biodiversity related topics, which kept the audience captivated.

The highlight of the event took place on day one, as CapeNature released its 2025 State of Conservation Report. The report is underpinned by significant fieldwork, analysis and ecological monitoring across river corridors, mountain fynbos, and coastal habitats. The report also helps to provide a snapshot of how species and ecosystems are faring and where more conservation work is needed to strengthen ecological resilience.

Read the 2025 Western Cape State of Conservation Report.

Image related to website content

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Provincial Minister

CapeNature continues to demonstrate that when we work together, we can achieve good results for conservation in the Western Cape. The partnerships and work showcased at the Conservation Review are measurable environmental outcomes. This event, and the launch of the State of Conservation Report, reflect a collaborative effort in the face of growing environmental pressures in the province.

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Image related to website content

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature

CapeNature CEO, Dr Ashley Naidoo, said collaboration for positive conservation outcomes, incorporating a diversity of land-uses, stakeholders, and mechanisms are all key to promoting positive conservation and biodiversity outcomes.

Without close co-operation with partners, government, and our stakeholders we would not be able to manage our protected areas effectively, meaningfully engage with a wide range of stakeholders and expand our conservation estate.

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature

The event also explored upscaling of enforcement and consideration of the ecological intelligence to effect compliance, highlighting the Entity’s record of prosecutions, advancements in negating the impacts of succulent plant poaching, coastal and marine compliance and enforcement. Other issues explored included the impacts of fire and invasive alien plant management on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, water security, and the increased resilience of our ecosystems and species through partnership, coordinated monitoring, and management.

Image related to website content

Professor Robert Balfour, Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Image related to website content

Coral Birss, Executive Director of Biodiversity Capabilities at CapeNature

Image related to website content

2025 Conservation Review

Image related to website content

Gerhard Gerber, Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Head of Department

Share:

Related News

New Conservancy to Protect Biodiversity in the Karoo image
16 Oct 2025
New Conservancy to Protect Biodiversity in the Karoo

A long-cherished dream has come true with the establishment of the 18 000 ha Karoo Gateway Conservancy in the Klaarstroom district. This initiative provides a strong framework for biodiversity conservation in the region through a voluntary agreement among landowners to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way that promotes biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture.

Penguin Palooza Guest Invitation 2025 03 1
10 Oct 2025
Make space in your heart for penguins at Penguin Palooza 2025

African Penguins are now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with scientists warning they could vanish from the wild by 2035. CapeNature and SANCCOB are collaborating to protect the species at their annual Penguin Palooza event at Stony Point Nature Reserve.

Spotted Eagle Owl Scientific Name Bubo Africanus
9 Oct 2025
Man convicted and sentenced for attack on Protected Spotted Eagle-Owl thanks to joint efforts

CapeNature welcomes the successful conviction and sentencing of 38-year-old Mozambican national Gustigu Mthini, who was found guilty on four charges following a violent attack on a Protected Spotted Eagle-Owl along the Sea Point Promenade earlier this year.

Vrolijikheid Nature Reserve
2 Oct 2025
The Vrolijkheid Nursery Project is Growing Conservation Through Community

The nursery project at Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve has officially entered its early stages of becoming operational, marking an exciting step towards a collaborative conservation and community initiative. 

EPWP worker at Cape Nature
1 Oct 2025
Empowering Communities: How EPWP Transforms Lives Through Skills Development

A well-earned promotion to the permanent position of Maintenance Assistant at Goukamma Nature Reserve was granted to Mr. Graeme Highburg, an EPWP employee at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve.

Bird Island Nature Reserve in Lamberts Bay
26 Sep 2025
Bird Island gets a fresh look with enhanced interpretive signage

Bird Island Nature Reserve has undergone a transformation just in time for World Tourism Day, with the unveiling of brand-new interpretive signage designed to elevate the visitor experience and public understanding of the Island’s unique biodiversity.