“Empowering Communities Through Skills and Knowledge for Sustainable Development” To celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, in collaboration with the Hessequa Local Municipality, Local Government SETA (LGSETA), South Cape TVET College...
by Louis Jordaan (GCBR Klein Karoo Extension Officer) Some would say that promoting the good qualities of porcupines amongst the farmers I engage with is looking for trouble; however, they are often surprised to learn the major role these shy, nocturnal animals play...
By Nelisiwe Khusi May 25, 2024, is World Fish Migration Day, a global celebration to raise awareness of the importance of free-flowing rivers and migratory fish. The theme for 2024 is "Free Flow." The Importance of Fish Migration Fish migration is a natural phenomenon...
by Jolandie Buck (GCBR Extension Officer) Have you ever wondered how much plant diversity there really is on the road verge? While travelling along a 16km stretch of dirt road, I noted 73 different plant species and identified many spiders, insects, birds and more....
Global Recycling Day is observed annually on 18 March and aims to highlight recycling as an important global issue that requires an integrated approach and urges people to think “resource” not “waste” when it comes to the goods around us. With the mounting pressure on...
by Nelisiwe Khusi and Xiluva Mathebula (Groen Sebenza/NRF-SAIAB Freshwater Taxonomy Intern) 1.1 The importance of Fish monitoring within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve The GCBR has diverse freshwater ecosystems predominantly characterised by perennial headwater...
As we learn more about the environment around us, we can equip ourselves with the needed knowledge to help us conserve and protect our local habitats. The Western Cape has a wide range of indigenous plants, and in this blog, we’d like to tell you more about them! What...
Indigenous plants are plants that naturally grow in a specific area or region; usually, it is where it was first discovered or in their original home. These plants have evolved over time to be well suited to that area's climate, soil, and other conditions, and they...
Author: Boudine Kruger What do you think of when you hear the term “alien”? The first thing on your mind would probably be little green men with big heads. Now, while the aliens we will be learning about today are certainly green, they are nothing like the aliens...
Author: Boudine Kruger Many things can contribute to the success of projects at GCBR. One thing, however, that we aim to prioritise is farmer education and awareness. Without proper resources and awareness building, we cannot expect farmers to understand the...