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.
CapeNature facilitates the legal administrative process to declare these sites as protected areas in terms of the National Environmental Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA). The reserve was declared on 11 April 2025. Situated within the Three Fountains Estate in the Klein Dassenberg smallholdings area, the land is privately owned and spans over 20 hectares. The Franco Property Trust owns and manages the reserve through trustees, Tony and Jodie Franco, whose vision and commitment made this conservation milestone possible.
The reserve is home to a mosaic of Endangered and Critically Endangered habitats and species, including Atlantis Sand Fynbos and Swartland Shale Renosterveld. It also protects seasonal wetlands, vernal pools and ephemeral streams that feed into the Donkergat River system and ultimately drain through Blaauwberg Nature Reserve into the Atlantic Ocean at Melkbosstrand.
A botanical survey of the site has recorded 156 plant species, including 22 species of conservation concern. A few of these are recognised as being Critically Endangered, while several more are listed as Endangered.
The establishment of this Provincial Nature Reserve is yet another positive step in conserving the irreplaceable biodiversity of the Western Cape. This reserve protects unique ecosystems and threatened species, while demonstrating what can be achieved through responsible stewardship and long-term commitment to conservation
What began as an effort to clear invasive plants has grown into a long-term commitment to restoring rare and threatened habitats. The declaration is an example of what is possible when private landowners embrace conservation as a shared responsibility.
Successfully declaring the reserve comes after decades of environmental pressure. In 2022, a significant clearing operation began, after more than 60 years of invasive alien plant infestation, mainly from Rooikrans and Port Jackson. Although a major wildfire that same year destroyed infrastructure and impacted recovering plant populations, rehabilitation efforts were quickly restarted. By 2024, the site had entered a maintenance phase, with reinstalled fencing and signage and an ambitious replanting programme.
To date, more than 3 000 Cape thatching reed (Elegia tectorum) seedlings and nearly 1 000 translocated wetland and fynbos plants, rescued from nearby developments, have been introduced to restore ecological balance and habitat resilience.
The addition of the Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve to the province’s protected area network demonstrates the impact of private land stewardship in addressing conservation gaps. CapeNature encourages other landowners to explore similar pathways to formally protect ecologically significant sites and contribute to broader environmental goals.
Landowners who are considering having their land formally protected can contact CapeNature’s Antia Wheeler on awheeler@capenature.co.za and Kaylin Reid on kreid@capenature.co.za.
Related News
CapeNature urges public not to unnecessarily remove chameleons following Garden Route storms
Members of the public are urged to assist wildlife responsibly following recent severe weather events in the Garden Route, and to avoid the unnecessary removal of chameleons from their natural habitat. Following severe storms experienced in the region over the last two weeks, many trees have lost branches or fallen entirely. As a result, some small animals have been displaced from their natural habitat.
CapeNature hit by widespread flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage
CapeNature is assessing widespread damage across its Protected Areas following several days of severe weather that have affected multiple reserves and surrounding communities through electricity outages, flooding and disrupted road access across the Western Cape. Successive cold fronts brought heavy rainfall, gale-force winds and localised flooding across the Province, resulting in infrastructure damage, blocked routes and disruption to operations.
Western Cape fire season shows record early intensity and significant increase in fire activity
The 2025–2026 summer fire season began with exceptional intensity for CapeNature – official statistics showed a sharp rise in fire ignitions, high temperatures, and a large expanse of burnt areas across the Western Cape. Historically, the fire season is considered to run from 1 October to 31 March. However, activity began as early as September 2025, well before the traditional high-risk period from November onwards.
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass
Western Cape to benefit from CapeNature’s 2026 Greening Initiative
CapeNature is launching a fun and engaging greening competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The competition will start on 13 April 2026 to coincide with International Plant Appreciation Day and will run until 15 May 2026. The initiative aims to inspire learners and community members to actively participate in protecting the environment.
A follow up: The potential impacts of Red Swamp crayfish in Western Cape waters
Since first being found in the canal systems of lower Olifants River in 2022 by CapeNature officials, invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are being found further afield in the Western Cape at an alarming rate. This freshwater species is globally recognised as a seriously damaging invasive species.