OVERBERG RENOSTERVELD CONSERVATION TRUST NEWS

Newsletter 25 | Aug 2021

by Dr Odette Curtis-Scott.

Working to protect this Overberg river

A dream of the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust is slowly coming to life: To work with farmers to protect and restore the entire length of the Sout River in the Overberg. This river is flanked by, and connects to, Renosterveld patches from its headwaters all the way to the De Hoop Vlei.

We took a big step towards this goal when we signed a new easement – the Vogelrivier Conservation Easement. This brings around 2500 hectares into our ORCT Easement Programme. And more importantly, it secures the end of the Sout River, leading into the vlei, to protect it forever.

This was truly a big moment for me personally, and for the Trust. It also strengthens our partnership with the Fynbos Trust, the owner of Vogelrivier. Its Managing Director, Chris Martens, plays a vital role in the ORCT as a mentor and advisor to the staff and our board.

Right now, we’re already starting our spring Renosterveld surveys. The wonderful winter rains have resulted in an early Renosterveld display. So over the next few months, you’ll find us out in the field, monitoring all our Overberg Renosterveld has to offer.

It’s the best time of year for this Critically Endangered habitat, where you really get to see WHY we care so much for Renosterveld, and why we’re doing everything we can to protect it.

There’s not a moment to be wasted this early spring season. And I’m off again as we speak to continue our surveying work. I look forward to letting you know what we’ve found in our next newsletter.

Odette Curtis-Scott
Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust