Supporting the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust, South Africa

South Africa’s lowland renosterveld is part of the fynbos biome, although it is very distinct from fynbos due to its lack of the three distinct fynbos elements, the Proteas, Ericas (heather) and Restios (reeds). However, it is one of the richest ecosystems in the world, as a result of its extraordinary biodiversity. The renosterveld that we see today is vastly different from that of 300 years ago, before large-scale agriculture began to threaten its existence.

Through a partnership with the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust, FFI aims to support the conservation of threatened renosterveld habitats within the Overberg District in the Cape Flora reserve. This includes establishing land purchases and legal restrictions, protecting areas from conversion degradation through ploughing, grazing and uncontrolled fires, and assisting conservation through collaboration and incentives with farmers for land stewardship.

The project began in 2011 and since then the founding of the first Renosterveld Reserve, 682 hectares in size, has been established. The first conservation easement signed in July 2017 for the protection of 200 hectares of renosterveld is currently in perpetuity.