Conservation

DFFE RAMSAR site visit and Ramsar information system (RIS) update
The Convention on Wetlands is a global intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. South Africa, together with almost 90% of United Nations member states from all the world’s geographic regions, have agreed to become “Contracting Parties” committing to designating sites as Wetlands of International Importance.

CapeNature celebrates a decade of connecting communities to nature with Access Week 2024
CapeNature celebrates its 10th annual Access Week between the 21st and 27th of September 2024 this year. The public is invited to access any one of 24 selected Provincial nature reserves across the Western Cape for free during this time. Visitors will be allowed day entry at no cost to enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, swimming and mountain biking. CapeNature will also be facilitating a variety of programmes for various community groups during this period.

CapeNature and NRF-SAIAB Team Up for Marine Conservation in De Hoop MPA
In celebration of Marine Protected Area Day, celebrated annually on August 1, CapeNature and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are proud to highlight their ongoing efforts to protect marine life through the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) in the Western Cape’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

CapeNature aims to stop rising wildlife crime numbers in the Western Cape
Illegal succulent plant trade remains the most pervasive wildlife crime in the Western Cape with most plants earmarked for illicit trade in East Asia, where most of the plants are sold to plant collectors and nurseries.

The secret of CapeNature’s new ambassador is out!
CapeNature is thrilled to announce the identity of its new Cubs Club ambassador, Kai the Cape leopard cub. Kai was introduced to the public and a group of Cubs Club members on Friday, 5 July 2024, for the very first time.

CapeNature Conservation Review 2024 brings excellence in sustainable conservation practices to the forefront
CapeNature showcased its achievements realised through its dedication to fostering sound governance, innovative eco-tourism offerings, successful conservation operations, and exceptional biodiversity protection at its CapeNature Conservation Review 2024.
Restoration: Helihack
CapeNature participated in the Boosmansbos Helihack to remove invasive species from the Duiwenhoks catchment in the Langeberg Strategic Water Source Area. The Helihack initiative is an extraordinary commitment by volunteers to rid catchments of the most difficult-to-manage invasive alien trees.

Freshwater fish survey, Chanting Ridge Stewardship Site
CapeNature conducted a mini freshwater fish survey through the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust stewardship project at a site on the Touws River. The survey involved landowners from two properties, the Chanting Ridge stewardship site and Bellair.

Guardians of the galaxias: How partnerships are key to identification and conservation of unique fynbos fish taxa
The Cape galaxias, Galaxias zebratus, are a small-bodied freshwater fish with a wide distribution in the Cape Fold Ecoregion. While being described as far back as 1861, it was only recently discovered that the single widespread species is a species complex comprising several unique and genetically diverse lineages.

Herculean Effort to Save Critically Endangered Tortoise During Recent Fire
In late January 2024, CapeNature was alerted to a fire in the vicinity of one of its stewardship partners, and also an area of concern for the critically endangered, geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) according to IUCN Red List.

Fish and Forests: Sampling the rivers of the Garden Route Nature Reserve Complex
A baseline survey of the Garden Route Nature Reserve complex was completed in January 2024 to provide updated information on the freshwater fish community of the reserve complex and inform future management interventions.

Exciting Frog Monitoring Programme Coming Soon!
Frogs are excellent indicators of environmental change, and CapeNature will be launching a frog monitoring programme at Groenvlei in the spring of 2024.