CapeNature's vision - Protecting biodiversity for a sustainable future
Biodiversity forms the bedrock of life on Earth. It is essential not only for sustaining healthy ecosystems but also for ensuring human wellbeing. Last week, on 22 May, we celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity, to raise awareness, educate, and build understanding around biodiversity issues, while inspiring collective effort to conserve it for future generations.
This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, connects the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework sets out ambitious goals and targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and ensure sustainable, resilient ecosystems by 2050.
Biodiversity provides the necessary ecosystem services, which include clean air and water, fertile soil, pollination of crops, regulation of the climate, as well as opportunities for recreation, tourism and cultural identity. However, biodiversity loss remains a reality - one that also offers an opportunity for bold and innovative action at small, individual scales and at large community and corporate scales.
The Western Cape is globally recognised for its rich natural heritage, forming part of the Cape Floristic Region, one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. It is home to over 10,000 plant species, 68% of which are not found anywhere else in the world. However, this biodiversity hotspot faces growing threats, including habitat loss, climate change, wildfires, invasive species, and the illegal collection and trade of plants and animals.
In response to these challenges, Dr Naidoo said CapeNature has expanded the Provincial conservation estate by over 100 000 hectares in the past five years, with over 45 000 hectares between 2023 and 2024 alone, through a combination of formal Protected Area declarations and biodiversity stewardship agreements with landowners.
This has brought the total area under CapeNature’s management to more than 1.1 million hectares, representing approximately 13% of the Province’s land area. These efforts are an important contribution towards South Africa’s international commitment to protect 30% of its terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.
CapeNature is committed to restoring critical catchment areas that provide essential ecosystem services to downstream communities by removing invasive alien plants through strong partnerships, particularly with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which also supports rural job creation and skills development. Initiatives such as the Greater Cape Town Water Fund, Eden to Addo Project, and HeliHack—whose efforts contributed to the rediscovery of the Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew after 46 years—demonstrate the impact of collaborative action. Invasive species control across Protected Areas and stewardship sites continues to safeguard endemic biodiversity while empowering communities through meaningful, community-based conservation work.
Scientific research and biodiversity monitoring are central to CapeNature’s conservation strategy. Long-term ecological monitoring tracks species trends, habitat health, and fire responses, guiding adaptive management and informing national biodiversity reports. To fight the growing threat of wildlife crime, CapeNature works closely with the South African Police Service, environmental crime units, and border control. These partnerships have resulted in over 180 biodiversity-related offences being investigated between 2022 and 2024, helping protect species such as rare Clivias, succulents, and reptiles.
Recognising the crucial role of people and future generations in conservation, CapeNature continues to invest in environmental awareness and youth development. In 2024 alone, hundreds of learners participated in school-based programmes that foster a culture of biodiversity stewardship and strengthen community connections to nature.
The conservation of our natural heritage cannot be achieved by one entity alone—it requires collective action. CapeNature calls on all sectors—government, NGOs, landowners, businesses, researchers, and citizens—to work together to protect the Western Cape’s irreplaceable biodiversity and promote a future of living in harmony with Nature.
Related News
Rocherpan clean-up kicks off MPA Day 2025 celebrations
CapeNature kicked off Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day celebrations with a community-driven beach clean-up at Rocherpan Nature Reserve on 31 July 2025. With school learners, volunteers, and the ever-popular Cubs Club mascot, Kai, lending a hand, all to highlight the link between marine and ocean protection and a public responsibility for conservation.
New nature reserve secures rare Cape Vernal Pools habitat
The Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve is declared a protected area, marking a significant conservation turning point as the first and only reserve dedicated to safeguarding the rare and ecologically important Cape Vernal Pools (a rare and endangered type of seasonal wetland ecosystem found within the Greater Cape Floristic Region). This unique vegetation type, previously unrepresented across our conservation areas, now finds its largest protected expanse within the boundaries of this reserve.
Biodiversity crime often overlooked but its impact is devastating
Biodiversity crime is a growing and often overlooked threat that directly harms South Africa’s unique ecosystems. From the illegal plant trade in the Western Cape to poaching and even picking wildflowers in protected areas without a permit, these acts all contribute to the degradation of biodiversity and the loss of crucial natural resources.
New EPWP intake launches careers in conservation and eco-tourism in the Western Cape
CapeNature has welcomed 475 new participants into a three-year Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) cycle, emphasising its commitment to skills development, conservation, and community upliftment across the province.
A small cohort of these participants, based at Kogelberg and Stony Point Nature Reserves, were officially welcomed at an event hosted at Kogelberg and led by Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.
How biodiversity crime threatens the Western Cape’s people, economy, and ecosystems
Biodiversity crime may sound like something intangible compared to other crimes encountered on a daily basis in our lives, but it is a very real and growing threat to our planet’s delicate ecosystems. It includes any illegal activity that harms plants, animals, or the ecosystems they depend on from high-profile crimes like rhino poaching to illegal plant trade in the Western Cape. It can even be something as simple as picking wildflowers in a nature reserve without permission or a permit.
Young leopard dies after being caught in gin traps near Heidelberg
CapeNature can confirm the death of a young leopard following a call to assist in a rescue operation on 2 July in the Heidelberg area, near the World Heritage Site of Boosmansbos.
Officials discovered a young 13 kg male leopard, estimated to be around six months old, ensnared in two gin traps set adjacent to each other. One front paw and one hind leg were caught. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, the leopard did not survive.
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