Read our latest posts and news.
Join the 2026 Garden Route City Nature Challenge
Have you ever paused on a walk and wondered about the tiny world buzzing around you? The Garden Route is teeming with fascinating plant and animal species, and the 2026 Garden Route City Nature Challenge (CNC) is your chance to spot, document, and share them with...
International Plant Appreciation Day with Melkhoutfontein Primary School: A Special Day of Plants, Discovery, and Learning
By Erin Martin – GCBR Environmental Education Intern On 14 April, a group of 60 Grade 6 and 7 learners from Melkhoutfontein Primary School set out on an educational excursion to Tuin-op-die-Brak in Still Bay in celebration of International Plant Appreciation Day,...
CAREER OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE GOURITZ CLUSTER BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) is an action-oriented non-profit organisation founded in 2011. We drive programmes and catalyse initiatives that nurture resilience in nature and communities within the 3.2-million-hectare region that has been designated...
Bins for Change: Inspiring Schools Through Recycling
By GCBR Environmental Education Intern, Erin Martin Through the incredible support from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Green Schools Programme, GCBR’s Environmental Education team rolled out 32 recycling bins, two compost bins and two worm farms to...
Water Month: Building Capacity to Better Address Challenges Facing Our Freshwater Systems
By Nelisiwe Khusi, GCBR Freshwater Conservation Coordinator March, recognised as Water Month in South Africa, came at a time when the catchments within the Gouritz Region were already under pressure. Over the past year, parts of our region received little rainfall,...
Celebrating World Planting Day with Little Green Thumbs
By Erin Martin – GCBR Intern On 23 March, GCBR members Marinda, Purnille, and Erin spent a day at Zebra Kiddies Crèche in celebration of World Planting Day. This day was a joyful and meaningful experience for both the team and the children. The group worked...
A Special Visit for Global Recycling Day
By Erin Martin – GCBR Intern On 18 March, GCBR team members Marinda, Purnille, and Erin, together with MAB Youth member Faith, visited Molenrivier Primary School to celebrate Global Recycling Day. The visit was filled with energy and purpose as they spent time with...
Not All Dragons Are Friendly: The Unexpected Invasion of Hylocereus undatus
By Claude Schippers & Jolandie Buck Driving along the farm roads between Brandwacht and Grootbrak, you begin to notice something unusual climbing the slopes. At first glance, it looks striking, large, sprawling succulents draped over shrubs and trees. But look...
Small Insects, Big Impact: Tackling Invasive Prickly Pear in the Gouritz Region
By Claude Schippers, Jolandie Buck & Dr Wilhelm De Beer Driving down some of the dusty back roads of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, with landowners and conservancy members who know this landscape intimately, we looked out over the valleys. A notable...
Act Early, Protect More: Understanding Foot and Mouth Disease
By Simthandile Ponti, Smallholder Farmer Programme Manager Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed ruminants that is a persistent and severe challenge for South Africa’s livestock industry. While it does not pose a...