Join us, on the 1st of December, at the Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town for the Western Cape Field Guide Association of South Africa meeting!

The theme is ‘Below Ground.’ Talks will include the biodiversity of South African shores, a field guide book about the habits and life of South African ants, NSRI and the work they do in the community and marine guiding.

The programme will be packed with great speakers, FGASA news, Guide of the Year Award, and time for networking. There will also be a special tour after the meeting of the observatory. 

To see the programme click here

Indigenous Forest

On Friday 26 October the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) had the amazing opportunity to visit a site in the south of Luxembourg that is earmarked to form part of Luxembourg’s first biosphere reserve. The Ellergron region has a rich natural and cultural history. At present an education centre and museum are open to the public at Ellergron. The museum focuses on the historical steel mines that dotted the area in previous centuries.

Representatives of the CWBR joined a group of students, accompanied by a teacher, and departed by bus from Athénée de Luxembourg. The end of the journey was Ellergronn centre and nature reserve. We visited a permanent exhibition on the natural and historical heritage of the region and was shown around the museum of the Cockerill-mine, including an exhibition on life in the mines, by a very informative guide. The mine was in operation from 1882 to 1967. Ellergronn comprises a network of nature reserves, including an indigenous hardwood forest of 1500 ha. The site was bought by the Luxembourg government in 1986 and opened in 2004 as a natural centre. The old unused mine shafts currently house bat species which are protected.

Ellergronn forms part of the core area of Luxembourg’s first biosphere reserve. The proposed biosphere reserve will cover approximately 2600 ha that will include various Natura 2000 sites. At present the nomination of the biosphere reserve is in process and the plan is to submit to UNESCO MAB in 2019. Although there are existing hiking trails in the region, UNESCO is planning to establish a more extensive network of hiking trails throughout the area.

During the afternoon two staff members of the Administration Nature and Forests took the group on a walking tour of the area. We explored the indigenous forest and were overwhelmed by the fall colours. The staff pointed out an old funicular that was used during the time when the mines were in full operation. A section of the area is known as the red rock region which is a Natura 2000 site. Some sections are covered by dry grasslands and in general the biodiversity of the area is very high. Most interesting information was provided by the staff members on the large number of orchids that are associated with the red rock region. Another historical mine site, Mine Prince Henri, was also visited and from there the group returned to the Ellergronn education centre.

It was a very informative outing. The CWBR will follow the nomination of Luxembourg’s biosphere reserve with interest and would like to maintain communication with the future management entity of the biosphere reserve.

Map of Nominated Biosphere Reserve Area in Luxembourg

Administration and Forestry Staff

Ellergronn Dry Grassland

Old funicular

Old Mine

Fossil found at Ellergronn

Mineral rock from extracting steel

Last week, Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve were fortunate to visit Meise Botanic Garden while on an awareness tour with La Source, a 20-meter-long oil painting depicting the biodiversity around and in the Berg River. There were discussions around future collaborations and joint awareness campaigns around art and conservation. And possibly twinning our future projects.

We were taken on a historical tour in the Bouchout Castle, then following the paths along the vast meadows and trees, shrubs, and hibernating flowers - seeing numerous and varied statues, onto the Orangery and the Garden’s Shop where we tasted their local coffee. Then finishing our journey in the enormous glass house, the Plant Palace. A place of innovation, wonder, and beauty. The glass house showcases plants from different regions of the world, through simulating the climate – one walks through the rainforest, desert, and savannah. We spotted the giant waterlilies, Victoria cruziana, which are also present at the Botanical Garden in Stellenbosch. The Botanic Garden Meise has a plant exchange and collaboration with the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden.

The history of the garden dates back to 1796, hosting two centuries of knowledge and innovation around plants. The garden covers 92 hectares. Historic buildings can be visited, and a castle with a tower dating back to the 12th century, is available for events and art exhibitions. 

The botanical library hosts a wealth of knowledge with over 200 000 books from the 15th century till today. We were fortunate to see the herbarium, with approximately four million specimens, and has major collections from Europe, Central Africa, Brazil and South-East Asia. It has one of the greatest wild roses collections in the world.

There are more than 25 000 accessions from almost 18 000 taxa of living plants, including different threatened species, such as Kwango giant cycad. The Garden also has an internationally recognized seedbank notably known for its coffee, banana and beans unique Crop Wild Relative collections additionally to endangered wild flora of Belgium and D.R. Congo (the Katanga Cupper hills).

This visit aims at broadening the collaboration between Meise Botanic Garden and the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve.

Check out their events, workshops and more -

https://www.plantentuinmeise.be/en/

Mission Statement - Meise Botanic Garden

"Building a sustainable future through discovery, research and conservation of plants."

Steven Dessein, CEO

Friday last week was a truly special day, the unveiling of ‘La Source: The Berg River from source to sea’ at Haut Espoir was a huge success.

Among the many very special guests, Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve was honoured to host the Khoi King, his majesty Goab Khoebaha Calvin Cornelius 111 and the Queen Jeanette.

Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve welcomed the guests to the event, in the warmly lit tasting room at Haut Espoir, introducing the Biosphere and giving the programme of the event.

Councillor du Plessis followed with a speech.

The anticipating crowd was led to the first room of the wine cellar, where they gathered for an emotion-filled ceremony. His majesty giving a heart-felt speech, unveiled the painting, placing emphasis on the importance of the river and the natural environment around it. How our individual choices shape our surroundings.

As the door was opened, presenting the 20-meter-long artwork hanging above the barrels, the guests were completely blown away by the mere size of it. As they settled into the room, and looked closer, they could see the details of animals, people, and plant life from past to present. The biodiversity that it supports. The Khoi King gave thanks in three different interpretations of his 'mother tongue' after which networking and questions about the painting followed.  

The unveiling was followed by a musical piece, especially composed for a group of young adults who will be receiving hearing aids through the funds raised from the painting while it travels overseas. This will be one of the many youth projects that the painting will support.

The painting was also available to view over the weekend during the Uncorked Festival. Over 500 people visited.  

It will now be going on a journey to Europe, where it will first be displayed at the Annual Dutch Art Fair from the 12th  - 14th October, followed by a trip to Luxembourg and more.

Department of Environmental Affairs representative, the CWBR team, and artist Charles Frank, and friend

Dala paint owner, representative, and artist

Speeches

Introduction to painting

The Unveiling

La Source: A project with a splash of paint!

Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve has launched its latest project to create awareness of Biosphere Reserves in South Africa (and internationally). The work they, and their partners, do in much needed conservation and development. The idea for the painting came together while discussing art, conservation, CWBR, and an artists’ desire to reach for the paint brush. This is how it is being carried out…

The awareness

By breaking a Guinness World Record, one of the biggest publications in the world, for the “World’s largest oil painting done by a single artist”, this Berg River project hopes to reach a huge number of people locally and worldwide. The painting is longer than a Southern Right whale!

The medium: The Berg River

The theme for the painting is inspired by all the life that surrounds the river, now and in the past, by the source of the Berg River - in the Jonkershoek mountains in Franschhoek, passing through towns and then leading out into the Atlantic Ocean through Velddrif, a coastal fishing town in the West Coast. The painting gives a natural and cultural depiction of the biodiversity that it supports.  

The importance of the Berg River

The Berg River and its catchment area are the life blood to all communities, businesses, and agriculture from the Franschhoek Mountains to Velddrift.

The Artist

Charl Frank is an environmentalist at heart. Charl has worked with both clay and paint, water has always been a constant theme in his art. In 2014, Charl sculpted the Knysna seahorse as part of the official launch of Knysna Estuary being proclaimed an official international Hope Spot on 7 and 8 December. He also painted a large painting, under water, nicknamed ‘WaterBirth’ which is not at Del Vera, on the way to Stellenbosch.

Available to view

The painting will be available to view at Haut Espoir, a biodynamic farm in the Franschhoek Valley, in their wine cellar on the 15th – 16th September during the Uncorked Festival. Opening time 11h00. The majority of the farm dedicated to fynbos restoration and a riverine ecosystem, hosts a beautiful abundance of indigenous plant, animal life, and farming. The paint used for this project is from Dala, a company who stay on top of science and technology, with nature and conservation in mind. 

What's next

This is only the beginning of the project. Keep an eye out for the exciting plans for the painting.

... and the projects that this painting has inspired.  

‘The painting is an expression of the importance of the river to all of us’ 

On the 23rd of July 2018, Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve set up an exhibition showing all of the ongoing projects of CWBR at Stellenbosch Town Hall, alongside other organisations including ChangeAbility, Badisa, Winelands Fire Protection and more.  The event, to mark the hand-over of funds from Cape Winelands District Municipality to the mentioned organizations as well as CWBR for the new year.

Cape Winelands District Municipality, were the initiators and the funders of creating Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve. It has been a wonderful parent! A huge thank you to CWD for the ongoing support from the beginning.