The Conservation at Work landowner day, co-hosted by Rooiberg Breede River Conservancy and the brand-new McGregor Vrolijkheid Conservancy at Lord’s Wines outside McGregor, drew close to 60 attendees despite rainy weather and muddy roads.
The event, supported by the Table Mountain Fund and CapeNature, created a platform for landowners, conservationists, and researchers to exchange knowledge and practical tools for sustainable land stewardship.
A line-up of impressive speakers covered the following topics:
• Drones vs. Alien Invasives: David Rogers (UAV Pilot & qualified PCO) displayed how drone technology is revolutionising alien invasive plant control and ecosystem restoration. Earth Drones captured the show in high resolution from the sky!
• The EWT Conservation K9 Unit: These incredible scent-detection dogs are on the front lines of anti-poaching efforts—sniffing out contraband and tracking poachers with pinpoint accuracy. A live demonstration by the dog handlers and their hard-working anti-poaching dogs, Delta and Mufasa impressed attendees.
• Jobs for Carbon: Since 2014, this initiative has restored degraded veld in the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve while creating 60 jobs in Van Wyksdorp. Founder André Britz and his team demonstrated effective erosion control through on-site ponding techniques.
• Protecting Renosterveld with ORCT: Eugene Hahndiek highlighted the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust’s work on habitat research, education, and projects like the Black Harrier initiative – a species with fewer than 1000 mature individuals left. Renosterveld is vital to their survival but remains under threat, while wind farm development also poses a critical concern. Overberg Renosterveld Trust
• Conservation at Work’s Broader Mandate: Chairperson Mike Fabricius—who also serves as Reserve Manager at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve—elaborated on the significant role that Conservation at Work (C@W) plays in promoting and supporting the conservation of private land in the Western Cape. He also highlighted the use of camera trapping to monitor wildlife and shared his observations.
This event reaffirmed the power of collaboration in advancing regenerative land management, biodiversity protection, and local socio-economic development.
The Jobs 4 Carbon team demonstrating ponding as an effective erosion control measure
Attendees starting the day with an overview of Conservation at Work
