Today’s architecture takes its cues from nature. And rightfully so. It’s the underlying ethos of many new North Coast residential estates where developers have rehabilitated land once used for sugar cane farming or now overcome with alien vegetation. This architectural vision mimics natural shapes and forms, makes use of natural materials, and integrates design features that … [Read more...]
A run for conservation and heritage
The WILDSERIES Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge is one of the pioneering trail events in South Africa with its first event held in 1992. This set a precedent for trail running as this was a unique, sold-out event which was limited to 100 runners. It soon became the most sought-after event with an endless waiting list raising funds for the conservation efforts of Ezemvelo KZN … [Read more...]
Soil Manifesto calls for environmental restoration
The Soil Manifesto was first drafted on October 17th, 2019 by a group of young Soil Ambassadors during an international Soil Protection and Management training led by CCIVS, part of the Soil4Life project coordinated by Legambiente Onlus and organised within the framework of the IVS for Climate Justice Campaign. Now is the chance to add your signature and pledge support to … [Read more...]
Stellenbosch gears up for Arbor Week
Several projects from 2014 up until 2021 have been aimed at greening the communities within the Stellenbosch Municipal boundaries and restoring the ecosystems, especially catchments and rivers in the area. The Stellenbosch Project had its roots in the Million Trees Project, initiated in April 2014 by then Stellenbosch Mayor, Conrad Sidego, as a partnership between the … [Read more...]
Plans for frog protection hop into action
Good news for nature lovers in the Helderberg! Frog lovers are ready to hop to the next level after the rescue attempt at Paardevlei during March this year. During our first rains a large colony of platanna froglets hatched at the Paardevlei area near the Somerset Mall and decided to brave the busy R44 to reach the nearest water body at the Sanctuary dam during a mass … [Read more...]
Industrial farming no solution for Africa
Following the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome last week - a prequel to the Head of State-level Summit in New York, this September - faith communities from across Africa continue to call attention to the wide range of far-reaching consequences of current industrial agricultural models. An open letter to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – sent by the … [Read more...]
Let’s help free Charlie from the Pretoria Zoo
Charlie is a African bull elephant living at the National Zoological Garden of South Africa also known as the Pretoria zoo. We have learnt much since zoos became fashionable forms of entertainment in late 1899 when this zoo was founded. Zoos, like circuses, are becoming redundant all over the world. Zoos are incapable of being able to offer elephants the space which … [Read more...]
Greenpeace Africa responds to Congo oil block cancellation
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to remove Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The decision follows clarification “provided by the national authorities that the oil concessions overlapping with the property are null and void and that these blocks will be excluded from future … [Read more...]
Researching climate change’s impact on pangolins
A little over five years ago, Dr Wendy Panaino, a researcher at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, followed her passion and began the journey to investigate the potential impacts of climate change on the pangolins of Tswalu. Parts of Africa are predicted to get hotter and drier with climate change, yet little is known about how mammals might cope with these changes. The already hot … [Read more...]
Game reserve needs support in bolstering anti-poaching efforts
Somkhanda Game Reserve rangers are joining more than 150 ranger teams across Africa in gearing up for the 2021 Wildlife Ranger Challenge. This multi-million-dollar fundraising initiative culminates on 18 September and supporting thousands of the men and women on the frontline of Africa’s protected areas. Africa’s rangers are stretched to capacity and continue to see drastic … [Read more...]
Rehabilitated leopards released at Mpumalanga game reserve
Leopard siblings Jack and Claudi began the adventure of their young lives when they were recently released into the wild at Nkomazi Private Game Reserve near eManzana (Badplaas) in southern Mpumalanga. The two animals were stolen from their den while they were still tiny cubs and offered for sale to illegal wildlife traffickers. Members of the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism … [Read more...]
Reusing waste crucial for improving water quality
Waste generation is threatening biodiversity and the planet as a whole. With the global population expected to significantly exceed nine billion people by 2050, of which some 2.5 billion will be living on the African continent, biodiversity is shrinking, even as the waste generated by billions of people grows exponentially. The loss of biodiversity across the globe is a … [Read more...]
Impressive accolades for nature-focused landscapers
DDS Projects, based at Die Handelshuis in Simondium, was named overall winner at the 2021 South African Landscapes Awards (SALI) and was awarded the Shield for Excellence in Landscaping for their Babylonstoren Fynbos Cottages project. The project also received the Best Landscape Construction with In-House Design trophy. Founded in 2010 in Stellenbosch by passionate … [Read more...]
