CapeNature is proud to present the 2022 State of Conservation Report. This is the third State of Conservation Report to inform the periodic Western Cape State of Biodiversity Report, as mandated by the newly assented Western Cape Biodiversity Act, aimed at providing the status of indicators for assessing the global state of biodiversity.

The popular Garden Route is a trip that must be taken when in the Western Cape. You could cruise slowly through its timeless beauty or stay over and experience nature at its finest. Rich in history, plant-life, water and land.

The wild, the water, the flock, the accommodation, the wonder of the West Coast! CapeNature and Wesgro welcome you to explore the West Coast. Holistically, the West Coast has every right to be boastful, especially when one of CapeNature’s reserves, Bird Island, has a near-sight view of the Cape Gannet in its natural habitat. Explore the museum on site, an informative movie room displaying information about the reserve and all its beautiful creations within.

World Water Day is celebrated on 22 March each year. This year, the theme is “accelerating change”, which directly speaks to the changes required towards improving the world-wide water and sanitation crisis. 

We have all experienced this at some stage; you’re hiking down a trail that becomes overgrown, the sharp Fynbos is lashing at your shins and moments later you’re basically leopard crawling while cursing beratingly, through a Sugarbush tunnel that’s grown over the path at chest height.

Animals and plants are used in science and monitoring as indicators of the health of an ecosystem, the so-called bio-indicators. In animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate species are used as bio-indicators. In rivers in South Africa, the established biological monitoring tool SASS 5 (or South African Scoring System version 5) uses macro-invertebrates (you can see them with the naked eye) to track water quality impacts.

CapeNature has seven nature reserves within the Overberg area, each showcasing the beauty of plant-life, mountain views, rumbling rivers, ocean vistas and forest-fun. A great getaway experience for large or small groups of people who find pleasure in fully embracing the natural wonders of the world.

Enjoying a glass of wine is great indeed, but have you seen the ‘Nature’ side of life? If not, that’s okay! Get your bucket list out and add the following must-see reserves in the Cape Winelands: Assegaaibosch, Hottentots Holland, and Jonkershoek Nature Reserves. 

CapeNature Fauna Ecologist Dr. Martine Jordaan recently collaborated with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) research group on a field trip to the river systems of the Garden Route. 

Some call it ‘peace of mind’, others call it an ‘extreme adrenaline rush’, and others may say that it’s simply the best of both worlds. The calm and the climb. The Cape Karoo, generally known for its arresting calmness and picturesque scenic routes, not forgetting the energising outdoor activities available for everyone to enjoy. 

This landlocked and brackish vlei is fed by the Sout and Potteberg rivers and several underground springs. It provides critical waterbird feeding and breeding habitat. Last month, ornithologist Kevin Shaw generously contributed his time and expertise to complete an eight-hour bird count of the 750-ha vlei. 

Bidders are invited to submit qualified bids for a concession opportunity to manage the operations of a ferry boat and trips up the Keurbooms River, at Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, close to Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape Province.