State of Conservation 2025: Progress & Priorities
CapeNature launched the 2025 State of Conservation Report this morning at its annual Conservation Review, offering a clear, evidence-based view of the Western Cape’s biodiversity and how conservation efforts are measuring up.
Key themes emerging from the report include sustained efforts to build biodiversity resilience in the face of climate change, the value of strategic partnerships, and the growing integration of monitoring data into planning and policy.
These insights are underpinned by extensive fieldwork, spatial analysis, and ecological monitoring across river corridors, mountain fynbos, and coastal habitats. The report provides a valuable snapshot of how species and ecosystems are faring amid ongoing pressures from land-use change, climate variability, and biodiversity loss.
Significantly, CapeNature added 13 117.41 hectares to the Western Cape’s protected area network since the last annual update, expanding the conservation estate to 1 095 428 hectares as of 31 March 2025.
This report is more than a reflection of where we stand environmentally. It is also a useful guide for decision-making in a way that strengthens both ecosystems and communities. The report tracks key indicators that inform where conservation action is most needed and where it is already yielding results. I commend CapeNature and its partners for the rigour and collaboration that underpin this important work.
Conservation successes noted in the report highlights close co-operation between government, private landowners, communities, research institutions, and other partners. Stewardship agreements with private landowners continue to secure ecologically important land outside formal reserves, while survey and data partnerships with research networks have enhanced the accuracy and reach of biodiversity monitoring efforts.
The resilience of our ecosystems and the services they provide is key to the well-being of the people of the Western Cape and the long-term sustainability of the province. This Report provides insights to where we are succeeding, where challenges remain, and how we can collectively respond, with the help of our partners.
The State of Conservation Report outlines CapeNature’s commitment to align its reporting with the South African State of Environment Outlook Report (SoEOR) and international environmental and conservation reporting obligations such as through the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Report describes CapeNature’s response to its primary mandate to conserve species and ecosystems that provide essential ecosystem services such as clean water, disease resilience, atmospheric absorption and carbon storage, which helps to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for both people and the environment.
The report is available at this link for viewing and download.
Related News
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.
Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey strengthens partnerships for freshwater ecosystem conservation
In the upper reaches of the Huis River near Barrydale, a recent aquatic macroinvertebrate survey is helping to inform conservation decisions for the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli), including the potential expansion of its range into upstream habitats in the river. The survey was conducted in partnership with
Ongoing efforts to safeguard the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin through monitoring
The Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is one of South Africa’s most range-restricted freshwater fishes. It is endemic to the Huis–Tradouw River catchment near Barrydale in the Western Cape. The species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small and fragmented distribution, threats from invasive fish species, pollution, water abstraction, and habitat degradation.
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day
Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge
The Big Biodiversity Challenge Returns to Inspire Young Eco-Champions
The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, Western Cape Government, SANBI, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, announces the return of its flagship biodiversity competition for learners in grades 6 – 9.
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.