Nelisiwe Khusi 1, Rita Liebenberg 1, Dr Donovan Kotze 2 1 Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR),2 Barry Street, Riversdale, 6670, Western Cape2 Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal 1. Broomvlei Wetland Overview The Broomvlei wetland,...
National Invasive Species Week: Let’s Save Our Water Source Areas from Invasive Plant Species
by Nelisiwe Khusi This week is National Invasive Species Week, from October 7 to October 14, 2024. This week serves as an important reminder of the ongoing threat posed by invasive species to our ecosystems and water sources. We encourage everyone to learn more about...
GCBR MAB Youth: Celebrating World Water Monitoring Day and World Rivers Day
By Nelisiwe Khusi September marked the celebration of two important environmental events: World Water Monitoring Day and World Rivers Day. These days highlight the importance of protecting our water resources and preserving the health of rivers. As global water...
The Importance of Farmers Day Workshops for Smallholder Farmers
On the 19th of September 2024, GCBR smallholder extension officer, Simthandile Ponti, hosted a smallholder farmers day workshop at Thusong Centre Riversdale. The workshop aimed to promote knowledge and awareness of sustainable, conservation, and ecological...
National Water Week: Conducting miniSASS with leaners from Voorwaarts Primary School and Gerrit Du Plessis High
By Nelisiwe Khusi The Environmental Department from Hessequa Local Municipality invited the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) to conduct miniSASS with Grade 7 learners from Voorwaarts Primary School and Grade 10 learners from Gerrit Du Plessis High School...
Shark Awareness Day
By Erin Martin, GCBR Intern Every year, on the 14th of July, Shark awareness day is celebrated to raise awareness and to educate the public on the importance of sharks in our marine ecosystems. On this day GCBRs Leila Moosajee and Erin Martin; together with MAB Youth...
Environmental Awareness: Global Recycling Day
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...
Exploring the Vital Role of Wetlands: A Conversation with Dr. Donovan Kotze
Wetlands: A Unique Confluence of Disciplines World Wetlands Day, on February 2nd, serves as a crucial reminder of the significance of wetlands in our ecosystems. To delve deeper into this subject, we had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Donovan Kotze, a seasoned...
A new adventure with Mont Blanc Nursery
Mont Blanc Flora is a picturesque fynbos farm, located in the mountainous countryside of Riversdale in the Western Cape. The property has been in the Geldenhuys-family since the 1970’s where they originally farmed with cattle, sheep and grain. When the next generation...
Kamma Wetlands Stink Bean Eradication
In the later half of August 2020, the Jobs for Carbon and Land Care teams, comprising 22 members, took up the challenge of eradicating Stink Beans in the Kamma River in Bonniedale. They met up with Donovan Kotze, who was representing the Gouritz Ecological Corridors...