Research findings revealed that grazing by sheep caused a reduction in plant species richness and diversity and vegetation cover in comparison to sites with no grazing.
Conservation toolkit: The role of the Extension Officer
The main aim of the ORCT’s extension work is to work with farmers across the Overberg to support them in conserving the Renosterveld on their farms as part of a productive agricultural landscape.
Another easement signed: “For Renosterveld, and for my father”
There’s a reason why farmer, Nico Neethling, chose to sign his conservation easement HERE. It not only overlooks the patch of Renosterveld he’ll be protecting forever. It’s also next to the grave of his father, on their family farm, Keykas, close to Klipdale in the Overberg.
Past, Present, Future: Advances in Pollination Biology in Overberg Renosterveld
Several students doing postgraduate research into pollination in Overberg Renosterveld have used the ORCT’s research centre at Haarwegskloof
Latest Renosterveld News
When I started the ORCT in 2012, my dream was that we would be the voice for Renosterveld in the Overberg and that we would encourage more landowners every year towards conserving, rather than mistreating this biodiversity gem.
Conservation Toolkit: What is an Easement?
So what is a conservation easement? Essentially it equates to a conservation servitude, registered over the whole property in favour of a particular NGO.
Piece by Piece: Impacts of Fragmentation in Overberg Renosterveld
The majority of Renosterveld occurs in small fragments with the largest area remaining just 500 ha in size. Most fragments are far smaller than that, surviving only because they are too steep or too rocky to plough.
5 Wheat-belt birds that MUST be protected (supported by WWF)
The Overberg Wheat-belt stretches from Botrivier to close to Heidelberg – including the towns of Caledon, Bredasdorp and Swellendam. Many patches between the crop fields and pastures here are remaining Renosterveld patches, koppies and ‘kloofs’.
3 years later: What has happened at the FIRST signed easement
Caledon farmer, MG Lötter, signed the first conservation easement in Renosterveld. This signing served as the blueprint on which future conservation easements in Renosterveld were...
Conservation Toolkit: All About the CREW Project
This 17th May we celebrate Endangered Species Day, a day for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting threatened species and the actions they can take to help protect them.