Gourikwa Nature Reserve receives the Best Stewardship Site award

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BUSINESS NEWS - Gourikwa Nature Reserve near Gouritsmond has recently received the award for the "Best Stewardship site" from Cape Nature during a ceremony that was held in Robertson.

The two owners, Dave Savage and Thys Neser, are passionate about the conservation of the Fauna and Flora, expanding and exploring these natural resources and sharing the knowledge and biodiversity with interested groups.

The property was formally declared as a NEM: PA Nature Reserve on 11 March 2022. The property includes 2 455 hectares of conservation important biodiversity including 2 000 hectares of Hartenbos Dune Fynbos which is now gazetted as an endangered vegetation type and contributes a significant percentage to the overall targets for the formal protection of this vegetation type.

Cape mountain zebra, as a species of conservation concern, was re-introduced to the reserve, and there are plans to supplement the population through collaboration with partners and conservation authorities. The reserve is located within the extended range of bontebok, which is another species of conservation concern. Management plans to introduce this species in future, and so add value to their visitor's tourism experience, while also contributing to the species' overall conservation.

What makes the reserve extra special is an endemic Lobostemon Beliformis species that is found nowhere else in the direct adjacent properties but in the reserve. Through declaration it has ensured that its survival shall remain for future generations. The reserve management implements a draft management plan in terms of fire management and regularly inspects the condition of the veld noting any negative impacts resulting from grazing game species.

There are also active woodcutters. This is part of community involvement and job creation removing alien invasive flora species, thus assisting with combatting the problem. Recently, management has appointed a conservation environmental ranger who will be implementing ecological projects on the reserve to add to the baseline data collection and strengthen the monitoring aspects on the reserve. There is also an educational centre used for outdoor education with school learners and holiday programmes are presented when families visit the reserve.

The team at Gourikwa is proactive and enthusiastic about their reserve and hungry to learn more about their environment.

The reserve is a special place for weddings, events, conferences, outdoor education, jogging, cycling, walking or just to come and enjoy our accommodation and relax.