WATERBERG CONSERVATION REPORT
We are proud to share with you the remarkable work done by Kelly Abram a Waterberg resident for more than 20 years. She has, almost single handedly, put together an extremely useful and valuable Waterberg Conservation Report.
Solutions for Queen of the Night
The Queen of the Night Cereus jamacaru BioControl Project is a pioneering effort that addresses the ecological challenge posed by a succulent Alien Invasive Plant (AIP). Its vigorous spread, fuelled by it being planted in gardens abutting natural areas and spread by birds eating its fruit caught the attention of conservationist John Wesson in 2007.
KRANSBERG CONSERVANCY
It all started on a thick wheel old style bicycle, modified with carriers back and front, heavily laden with rations for a week, a sleeping bag, ground sheet, a fire kettle, tin cup, billy can, matches, a pair of binoculars and one extra shirt and short trousers, today exactly 50 years ago.
Bankrotbos Project
“Almost every time I visit the Waterberg, someone asks me about bankrotbos… And this has had me thinking for some time. I am now gearing up to try and get funding for a project to look at the impacts and control of this species. I also have a new PhD student, Mr Yondela Norman, who we think will now be doing his research on this beast.
BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST
The Waterberg Mountain Complex is a region of special conservation concern. Despite this, there has never been a comprehensive and structured biodiversity survey of the WMC, which will provide much needed data and information for the management of the various Waterberg conservation areas and bordering regions.
Regenerative Cattle grazing project on Swebeswebe
In the later part of the 20th century, the Waterberg was still relatively unknown. Large predators roamed its valleys and plains, and herds of big game periodically entered the area seeking grazing and shelter. Then, as farming established the area’s economy, the herds gave way to cattle and crops. Tobacco became a popular cash crop […]
Rewilding the Waterberg
Rewilding is the new conservation science which holds that instead of preserving remnants of allegedly pristine areas to conserve iconic species, conservation efforts can be broadened to include repopulating, or rehabilitating areas and merging properties to revitalise ecosystems. The concept of “Rewilding” is expanded in Jepson and Blythe’s book of the same name. They recount […]
Moving towards larger areas
Nature is critical for our survival. Terms such as biodiversity and ecosystem services have become more familiar phrases but are often viewed or understood as individual components because this is how humans learn best. We break down difficult to understand concepts, learn about the components separately, and think we understand the system, but often do […]
Wild Dog Report
Two important meetings were held by Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative recently. They are doing wonderful work. For those that were not able to attend the meetings we provide a summary of the important issues that came out of each meeting. TOOG Area Wild Dog Community Meeting Saturday, February 18th at 13:00 Palm Park Hotel, Lephalale […]
Baboons in the Dust
Dr Rich McFarland directs the Swebeswebe Primate Project (SSPP) on the Swebeswebe Wildlife Estate in the Waterberg. Richard is currently based at Nottingham Trent University in the UK and holds affiliate faculty positions at UNISA and the University of the Witwatersrand. Rich has been studying South African primates since 2012 and following seven years working […]