By Halcyone Muller Silky hakea (Hakea sericea) is one of the most problematic invasive alien plants affecting the fynbos ecosystems of the Western Cape. Introduced from Australia, this hardy shrub rapidly forms dense stands that outcompete indigenous vegetation,...
Water is something we use every day without giving much thought to where it comes from or what it takes to make it safe for us to use. During World Water Week, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), in collaboration with Hessequa Municipality, gave learners the...
Across South Africa, conservancies bring landowners, residents and other local stakeholders together voluntarily to care for the natural environment within a defined area. Their activities vary according to local needs and capacity but may include protecting...
By Erin Martins – GCBR Intern Greening our early childhood spaces is about more than just making them pretty. It’s about creating safe, living classrooms where kids can connect with nature from day one. Transforming the Grounds GCBR’s Environmental Awareness team was...
A Community That Showed Up On 18 July, in honour of Mandela Day, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve joined hands with the St. Luke’s Green Anglicans Movement, Hessequa Municipality, and the Traffic Department for a community clean-up in Albertinia. The initiative...
From 7 to 9 July, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve collaborated with Magpie Art Collective from Barrydale to host a 3-day upcycling workshop aimed at inspiring creativity and environmental awareness among local youth. Creativity Meets Recycling...
By Nelisiwe Khusi and Simthandile Ponti We recently visited several backyard garden farmers in Slangrivier and Riversdale who have benefited from our Smallholder Farmers Programme. Through this programme, backyard vegetable garden farmers have received support with...
By Patricia Peters - GCBR MAB Youth Member A group of GCBR MAB Youth members (Faith, Patricia and Sinelethu) visited Grade 10 learners at Langenhoven High School to raise awareness about World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on the 8th of June. The session focused on...
By Erin Martin, GCBR Environmental Education Intern On 14 May, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), represented by Marinda van As and Erin Martin, hosted an educational excursion for the Grade 5 learners from Melkhoutfontein Primary School in Still Bay. The...
by Leila Moosajee, GCBR Youth Coordinator What happens when you combine river health, museum artefacts, and 110 curious Grade 7s? A day of hands-on learning that brought science, culture, and heritage straight to the schoolyard. Earlier this year, Ridgeview Primary...