On World Habitat Day we celebrate the bison, how it shapes the landscape it inhabits, and the future ahead for the habitats local wild bison populations share with the local communities. Until 9 years ago, there were no free roaming bison in Romania. Now, over 100 bison have been released and born in the wild at Bison Hillock in the South-West Carpathians of Romania. The … [Read more...]
Connecting home to nature at the heart of true wellness
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...]
Springbok Damian Willemse plants THE SEED
Fresh off his participation in the Springboks World Cup winning campaign and the British & Irish tour success Damian Willemse has announced the launch of his project THE SEED. It was created in partnership with global planting business, One Tree Planted, with a clear goal in raising R500 000 for the planting of trees in local areas that need it most. Damians’ attendance … [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...]
Mqeku Picnic Site: an ideal spot for family outings
Head for the great outdoors, enjoy the early-winter crisp weather and discover somewhere new: visit the Mqeku Picnic Site - a magical unexplored playground only 20 minutes from Hillcrest in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills. With Youth Day and Father’s Day both coming up in the next fortnight – families may be looking for interesting things to do together. Mqeku … [Read more...]
Urgent action needed to prevent fatal nature loss
Hundreds of millions of people across the globe are showing their rising concern about nature. New global research, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and commissioned by WWF, shows that public interest in, and concern for nature has risen markedly (16%) in the past five years and continues to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures came ahead of … [Read more...]
Massive frog massacre averted thanks to eco saviours
One Sunday morning earlier this month, Bolander received an urgent call from Somerset West resident Elma Pollard (previous environmental correspondent for Bolander, and editor of the Green Times), saying that there was a massive frog migration underway from Paardevlei dam, over the R44 to the Sanctuary dam. "The cars are driving over the frogs, it’s a massive slaughter, and … [Read more...]
Mountain biking permits for Bottelary Conservancy available
The annual Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) mountain bike permits are now available online. Enjoy a 92km trail network through rolling hillsides, conservation areas, vineyards and farmland in the Bottelary Hills just outside Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Multiple route options cater for various skill and fitness levels. Fees range between R400 and R700 … [Read more...]
Civil society calls for protection of Piatúa River
On November 26, a coalition of civil society organizations and law professors submitted an amicus brief to Ecuador’s Constitutional Court calling for the protection of the Piatúa River based on the Rights of Nature and Indigenous rights. The Piatúa River is under threat from a hydroelectric project that Ecuador’s government approved without the free, prior, and informed … [Read more...]
African conservation documentary wins at film festival
South African conservation documentary, The Edge of Existence, by Black Bean Productions, has scooped a top award at the 10th annual Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF), taking place from 1 October to 8 November 2020. Out of 150 documentaries at the festival, The Edge of Existence – which took three years to film, with the crew sometimes spending days or even weeks … [Read more...]
Community re-imagined in a social VR World
The annual Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) Congress will take place in a real-time virtual world from 25 – 30 October. NEWF adapted to the reality of the times and have created a truly virtual congress. Delegates will represent themselves as Avatars, and literally interact, engage and network with other delegates and speakers at the … [Read more...]
Belgian green parties introduce bill to make ecocide a crime
The Belgian Ecolo-Groen (Eco-Green) parties have been quick to seize the moment to propose establishing the crime of ‘Ecocide” in Belgium and in the wider international community, following French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement in support of making ecocide a crime. Belgian eco-green parties, in consultation with French legal expert and Stop Ecocide associate … [Read more...]
Conservation NGOs welcome the reopening of nature-based tourism
The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected almost every aspect of life as we know it. In South Africa alone, the economic effects are devastating with the GDP expected to decline by between 8% and 10% in 2020. Job losses are estimated at over a million and more than 160 000 businesses are expected to close their doors. Under Lockdown Level 3, many sectors have been allowed to … [Read more...]
