Grootbos Foundation Monthly Update | November 2023

01 December

Experiences

Grootbos Foundation November Update

This month's update is a testament to the Foundation's unwavering commitment to biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, and education. From discovering new species on a Bioblitz to sharing knowledge with other like-minded organisations, November has been a month of growth, collaboration, and transformative change.

Preserving Biodiversity | Controlled Burns On The Grootbos Reserve

Our Conservation Research Unit and Reserve Management Team were all-hands-on-deck for a carefully planned controlled burn of a 60-hectare block of fynbos on the Grootbos reserve. 

This particular block of fynbos was old and in urgent need of the opportunity to burn, not only for fynbos health, but to promote biodiversity and to reduce the fire load. 

Our reserve management plan includes a fire plan which works towards managing a patch mosaic pattern of mixed young and old fynbos to act as a natural firebreak. If a wildfire does threaten the region during the summer season this fire break will slow its movement across the reserve. 

Permits, conservation consideration, safety and skills training go into the background planning before a controlled burn can take place.

Blossoming Futures | A Week of Immersive Learning at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

This year's Horticulture class from our Green Futures College spent a week at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in Betty's Bay. This beautiful, secluded botanical garden consists of 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 190 hectares of pristine natural fynbos.

They spent the week learning key skill sets that will be vital for their experiential training and future as leaders in indigenous horticulture.

Inspiring Tomorrow's Nature Ambassadors | The Butterfly Centre Visits Grootbos Foundation

Our team hosted the senior group of young adults from the Butterfly Centre, a centre for specialised learning, at the Grootbos Foundation Office, Nursery and Conservation Offices. 

They came to learn about the variety of jobs and skills that it takes to make up the Grootbos Foundation team, and to learn about our passion for fynbos, plants and nature. 

Their visit left them full of inspiration and a can-do attitude about the variety of work options in any team.

They left our Foundation team feeling equally inspired and motivated. Sharing stories and passions has the power to cultivate a shared commitment, turning each individual into a dedicated nature ambassador.
 

DANAS' Green Goals | Tree Planting at Grootbos

We were so thrilled to host Germany's National Women's Hockey Team (DANAS) at the Grootbos Foundation in November.  The team has been raising funds to plant indigenous trees at Grootbos as part of a forest restoration project.

Planting these trees offsets the team's travel carbon footprint. They came to plant trees and to play hockey with the children of the Grootbos Foundation.

Discovering Biodiversity Treasures | Highlights from Our Bioblitz

Our Conservation Research Unit recently conducted a Bioblitz Rapid Biodiversity Survey of the Grootbos reserve and surrounding farms part of the Walker bay Conservancy.

A Bioblitz is a coordinated event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species of flora and fauna as possible in a specific area over a short period of time.

Here are just a few of the special species that were recorded during the Bioblitz.

Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing projects and initiatives in the coming months. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the environment, education, and community development, fostering a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow. Thank you for being part of the Grootbos Foundation's journey.