May’21
The new normal is disconcerting and deprives us of the social interaction that inspires and allows healthy competition to flourish and promote innovation. I therefore yearn for a return to the old, while retaining some of the benefits acquired through this period of stifling containment. What are some of the benefits one may ask? My perspectives on this may differ from other views but include a perceived confidence of our wild animal species which now venture into areas suddenly devoid of the human bustle that restricted them to sheltered areas; a much greater awareness of the biodiversity abounding on my doorstep; the desire of our fellow man to enjoy the natural splendour of our environment – hopefully accompanied by a respect and obligation to protecting and conserving it. As for the changes to how we conduct business, travel and communicate – these are expounded on often and do not merit expansion here except to say that the restrictions have undoubtedly benefited the planet with less emissions and pollutants. This too should become a lesson to mankind and hopefully the beneficial results can be sustained.
Since the inaugural Bush Telegraph in July 2015, they have provided a diary of events or proposed activities. The irregular nature of these missives allows us to reflect on progress which is at times slow, but occasionally reaches important milestones – only possible through the small achievements of the past. Without reflecting on the baby steps and the struggles the major achievements are often seen in isolation and under-rated. Fountainhill Estate (FHE) and its environmental conservation partners Cumberland Nature Reserve (CNR), Donovale Farming Company (DFC) & Brushwood Farm recently achieved such a milestone. On 1 April 2021 the MEC of the KZN Provincial Council for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Ravigasan Ranganathan Pillay declared the Central Umgeni Protected Environment (CUPA) a Biodiversity Stewardship Area; with CNR declared a nature reserve and the other properties protected areas, in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act No. 57 of 2003. This concludes the lengthy administrative process of declaring a site worthy of conservation, due to the biological diversity, natural landscapes a protected area for conserving ecosystems, habitats and species naturally occurring in South Africa. These sites contribute to the national area of protected and conserved areas. Presently …% of these are under private ownership, and play a vital role in protecting vulnerable or ecologically sensitive species and habitats, contributing to the wealth of eco-system services they support.
Custodians operate according to a Management Plan which ensures a uniform approach to conservation and which is reported on annually, to the MEC of EDTEA.
The long road still lies ahead but this group can now implement custodianship within the parameters of the law and in pursuance of the national and global interest of protecting our environment. This contribution may add impetus to reversing the degradation mankind has visited upon the planet. CUPA members are unified in wanting to preserve these sanctuaries for the benefit of the planet and indeed, on expanding the conservation corridor to adjoining properties. To this end the desires of the Gcumisa Tribal Authority, Msinsi Holdings & Maxwell Gumede have initiated applications under this Act to declare 4000 ha of additional land to the stewardship programme. If successful the conservation corridor will increase to 7,318.5 ha.
The message of custodianship will be promoted through Stewardship Visits to showcase achievements and promote conservation practices are being undertaken by the members of CUPA.
Unfortunately, indiscreet activities by landowners adjoining protected environments continue to place pressures on the biodiversity. In the case of CUPA one such activity is impacting on the breeding colony of the vulnerable Bald Ibis, by supporting massive population increases of scavenging and marauding corvids that have driven the Bald Ibis from their breeding ledges, further impacts on soil erosion, air and water pollution are also being felt from this activity. It is the duty of the stewardship custodians to combat this and other illegal or indiscriminate activities such as illegal sand mining which impact on environmental services failing.
While poaching continues, extra vigilance and additional security appear to have had some impact in reducing this crime. WESSA and the Honorary Conservation Officers have been active in developing a training course for Eco-Rangers to better equip staff and security companies to combat and deter poaching activities.
As alluded to in the opening paragraph the restrictions of the lockdown have stimulated the appetite for nature, with the FHE Trails proving popular. Following the promotion of The Reiche Trail we have had nearly 500 day visitors utilise the facilities. As a result of the popularity FHE has introduced a Friends of Fountainhill card which entitles the purchaser multiple entries to the estate, at a discounted rate. CNR has also had a large number of visitors for organised nature trails.
The on-line webinar series hosted by FHE and our partners UKZN, SANBI and the INR under the theme “The Impact of the Food-Water-Energy Nexus on Biodiversity” was very successful. Dr. Morné du Plessis the CEO WWFSA set the scene and was followed by panel discussions on the three components of the nexus at fortnightly intervals. It attracted more than 500 registrants and up to 170 on-line attendees, from across the world.
FHE intends to resume the interactive, multi-disciplinary research symposium in 2021. Provisional planning is being undertaken to host the 5th Annual FHE Research Symposium on 20 & 21 October 2021, to resume the Covid-interrupted tradition, subject obviously to control of the pandemic. With the experience attained in the on-line series it may be possible to combine the physical symposium with a live virtual transmission, to extend the reach and observe the necessary covid protocols if still necessary.
Research and surveys have resumed with the SRK Closed Water Balance Model, in the final stages of calibration. The small mammal and reptile surveys (Cameron Cormac UKZN), have resumed under the supervision of Prof. Colleen Downs. The Raptor Scoping Surveys, continue under Tammy Caine & Wade Whitehead of Free Me and have been instrumental in highlighting the pressures on the Bald Ibis breeding colony. The exploitation of the commercial potential of traditional crops by Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudi & Kyle Reddy of UKZN is being conducted on sweet potato and madumbi. 2020 saw Dr Ian Kiepiel (UKZN) undertake an investigation on pollinators and pollination aspects of the weeping boer-boon tree Schotia brachypetala. According to Ian the concentration of these trees on FHE is the highest he is aware of in the country.
Other research projects include the rangeland monitoring programme supported by the advisory support of Cobus Botha. The bulk grazing trial initiated as a consequence is being monitored with basal cover data, cattle weight gain and vegetation transects. FHE is partnering with Priscilla Dent who has supplied the largely Nguni cross herd of cattle, at risk.
The combined and multi-faceted SEBEI research project on alien invasive plants and their control was concluded and provided some interesting and supportive evidence of the environmental and socio-economic benefits of restoring natural vegetation by removing alien plants.
FHE continues its trial on protective netting over avocados. The SASRI trial on sugar cane nematode treatments continues, as does the avocado & soil health of avocado being monitored by UPL Chemicals.
A further interesting development is renewed interest in the Holley Shelter, which is now considered to have provided shelter to middle-stone age man, some 50,000 years ago. Archaeologists from the University of Tübingen, Germany have expressed interests in re-excavating the site using modern dating methods to accurately assess age. They will also collect pollen samples from the site to provide an indication of vegetative composition at the time. This work as well as exploration of other sites of interest in the district should provide interesting anthropological information.
The avocado tree nursery is now functional and should produce the first commercial trees early in 2022.
We continue to be blessed with cooperation and enthusiasm from local landowners, researchers and collaborators rewarding our own efforts in supporting and promoting agricultural and conservation initiatives within our catchment. Obviously, the adage “The more you give, the more you shall receive”, holds true.
Yours in Conservation & Agriculture,
Ed Gevers
General Manager: FHE
