Ancient pollen grains found in sediment cores dating back thousands of years are helping scientists to shed light on the earth’s past and future climates. Dr Lynne Quick, a palynologist at Nelson Mandela University, who is currently working on the development of new paleoenvironmental records in Southern Africa says there’s much more to pesky pollen and fungal spores that … [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...]
Make-a-Difference Week beach cleanup a great success
The 5 to 13 June 2021 was Make-a-Difference Week, a worldwide effort to reduce negative environmental impacts. The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET) team kicked off the nine-day commitment with a beach cleanup from Sunrise Beach to Muizenberg on World Environment Day, which was also the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. There was … [Read more...]
Rooibos industry pledges continued commitment to sustainability
While the Rooibos industry has always had environmental preservation at heart, an increased global demand for the tea has compelled the industry to more proactively review its impact across its value chain. Nicie Vorster, a director of the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) says the industry is renewing its focus on sustainability. “Ecosystems all over the world are being … [Read more...]
Family owned Bottelary wine farm puts conservation first
Mooiplaas Wines recently became the first World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Conservation Champion in the Bottelary ward of Stellenbosch. This outstanding achievement follows the submission of their latest IPW-audit (Integrated Production of Wine), which acknowledges the environmental responsibility of their production practices. The audit includes factors such as carbon … [Read more...]
Western Cape to increase the Protected Area network
Innovative work is taking place across the Western Cape to increase the Protected Area network, and in turn help reach global Protected Area targets. And more importantly, they’re being driven through pioneering conservation models, funded by the Table Mountain Fund (an associated Trust of WWF-South Africa). According to Kevin McCann of conservation non-profit organisation, … [Read more...]
Yes to the Princess, No to the Mall
Imagine a people’s park where we can come together to picnic, enjoy nature, be creative and listen to great music? Help us make this happen at Princess Vlei. Come and enjoy: Spectacular live bands including the internationally acclaimed John Wizards and Isongo Livingstone High Jazz Band and our favourite DJ, Rozzano Great food on sale, or bring your own Pony rides … [Read more...]
Breathing new life into Platbos Forest
Recently, our team spent a relaxing weekend at the 1000 year old Platbos Indigenous Forest, near Gansbaai. We slept in huts made from wood and canvas, and heated up the geyser by making a fire beneath it. Discovering the southernmost remnant of the ancient Afromontane forest which once covered almost the whole of Africa was a journey to our roots in a series of significant … [Read more...]
Waste transformed into heirloom furniture
It is time that we drop the word ‘waste’ from our dictionaries. That’s where you find this noun explained as ‘squandering and careless spending’, relating also to the verb’s meaning of ‘expending needlessly and destroying completely.’ I believe that one day the past 100 years will be known as the Era of Waste –and our grandchildren will live to tell the tale of our … [Read more...]
Fynbos fire project gets underway
South Africa has been granted US$3.5m for a three-year project to implement integrated fire management programmes in the Fynbos biome. The grant was made available through the Global Environment Facility Special Climate Change Fund, established to support adaptation and technology transfer in developing countries party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate … [Read more...]
Wine drinkers help protect Cape environment
Drinking wine is one of life’s great pleasures, but there’s even more pleasure when you know that your favourite tipple is not harming the environment. Through the WWF-SA Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI), a pioneering partnership between nature conservation groups and some of the country’s wine producers, savouring wine is more environmentally friendly than ever. So highly … [Read more...]
Hotel fights aliens to save fynbos and water
On Earth Day one of Cape Town’s greenest hotels gathered together staff, guests and friends to clear alien vegetation in the Silvermine Valley in the Table Mountain National Park during their 45th Adopt-a-Spot initiative. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa in Newlands, Cape Town, were assisted by three Miss Earth SA finalists, Nayha Gautam, Lara Potgieter and Luanne … [Read more...]
Organic farm spreads the green message
This month Waverley Hills organic farm near Wolseley, in association with Cape Nature started a community environmental education programme. The aim was to provide children in the local community with a sense of pride and to create a 'greener' environment. Over 150 children participated from 6 schools - Drostdy Primary, Twee Jong Gezellen, Montrouge VGK Primary, Steinthal … [Read more...]
