Supporting and driving conservation initiatives in Cape Town.
👉 TAP OR HOVER MOUSE HERESupporting and driving conservation initiatives in Cape Town.
Land purchases of the like-for-like nature are not easily applied in the Cape Town urban environment and in some cases add a long delay onto the application process for developers.
The Nature Care Fund (NCF) can be a recipient of funds for land acquisition and hold onto the funds until such time as potential site has been identified and negotiations taken place – in some cases amalgamating funds from several projects to maximise buying power.
Biodiversity Offset Capital:
👉 TAP OR HOVER MOUSE HEREBiodiversity Offset Capital:
In certain instances land that could be set aside on a proposed development is too small or too isolated to enable sound ecological functioning and the option of biodiversity offset capital may be chosen. This can come with a variety of objectives depending on the consultative process leading up to the Basic Assessment Report (BAR), and be governed by a number of desires from the I&AP and commenting authorities and may include, search and rescue, rehabilitation and/or like for like land purchase. The NCF is able to receive these funds and ring-fence them for the purchase or management of a site of similar veld type or biological importance.
These funds can be invested to enable long-term growth or held in short term facilities until such time as other such funds arise to be amalgamated creating a larger pool of funds.
Ensuring Long-Term Success:
👉 TAP OR HOVER MOUSE HEREEnsuring Long-Term Success:
Key to viability and success of biodiversity offsets is site management in perpetuity and whilst protected area expansion is critical so too is the management of conservation sites. Activities on a site minimises the risk of squatting, dumping, veld fires, alien invasive plant spread and densification and enables multiplier effects.
These include the placement of additional staff (EPWP etc.) and Nature Conservation students, commitment of resources and community buy-in to name a few.
News
Most snakes killed in South Africa were never a threat.
It’s World Snake Day on 16 July, which is an excellent time to consider the importance of snake conservation and the crucial ecological role these reptiles hold.  Across South Africa, many endangered snakes are killed out of fear.Â
25 Years. One Purpose. Changing Lives Through Nature
Every year on June 16th, South Africa pauses to remember what young people are capable of when they are given something worth standing up for. The generation of 1976 didn't wait for permission. They acted from a place of conviction, identity and belonging to something larger than themselves. That is the Youth Day spirit, we are recommitting to. It has driven Nature Connect's work for 25 years, Changing Lives Through Nature, one young person at a time.
When Conservation Leaves the Reserve: Lessons from a Fynbos Partnership
When Conservation Leaves the Reserve: Lessons from a Fynbos Partnership. What does meaningful conservation look like beyond a protected area’s boundaries? On 29 May, the @KenilworthRacecourseConservationArea planted Cape Flats Sand Fynbos at @StLukesHospiceCT, just 400 metres from where it once grew wild. The plants were propagated from KRCA cuttings and grown in its on-site nursery, extending restoration into the surrounding urban landscape. This reflects a broader shift in conservation thinking: protected areas cannot function as ecological islands. Their value grows when they seed biodiversity into schools, gardens, and institutions, building corridors and community ownership.
