Agter-Groenberg Renosterveld Conservancy

ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY
The Renosterveld Conservancy has been in operation since 2002 when it was constituted by Cape Nature as a voluntary agreement between landowners in the Ager - Groenberg region of Wellington in the Western Cape. It was founded by Frank Turner of Bontebok Ridge Reserve in an effort to combine the conservation efforts of neighbours, start the arduous task of clearing alien vegetation to improve water flow & natural biodiversity as well as to encourage & support sustainable management of the environment for conservation.
There are currently 11 landowners who are members of the Conservancy, covering an area of 24 000ha. Of this, approximately 20 000ha of land is natural vegetation & supports the largest remaining segment of the threatened Swartland Shale Renosterveld as well as the largest population of one of the world’s rarest reptiles, the Geometric Tortoise. A further critically endangered vegetation type conserved within the Renosterveld Conservancy is the Swartland Alluvium Fynbos which is also part of the Fynbos Biome & which is seriously fragmented mainly due to farming practices in the Swartland. In the Conservancy, however, the drive to conserve these threatened habitats & associated wildlife has resulted in 3 of the properties joining the Cape Stewardship Programme, a joint venture between Cape Nature, SANBI & private landowners, ensuring the preservation of the natural habitat in perpetuity. All landowners in the Conservancy are actively involved in clearing alien vegetation on their properties, working with sound environmental practices, identifying rare & endangered plant species as well as participating in community awareness.
The conservancy is active through quarterly meetings, newsletters, awareness days, educational outings & community involvement, particularly with the local schools.