As part of our focus on sustainability and regeneration we’d like to salute the incredible work being done by Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, which has earned the organization international recognition as the ‘custodians of the Cape Floral Kingdom’.
The reserve is made up of 3 500 hectares of pristine Cape wilderness. South Africa’s distinctive national flower, the protea, is one of the jewels of this floral kingdom, which is the smallest of the plant kingdoms. The smallest and one of the richest biodiversity hotspots the world over with more than 9,000 plant species.
In the 25 years of conservation at Grootbos they have discovered no less than 100 endangered species and an amazing 7 new species to science on this property. These precious plant species could not be in better hands, Grootbos has demonstrated an impressive commitment to sustainability through their Grootbos Foundation.
The Grootbos Foundation is founded on principles of conservation and sustainability by developing livelihoods through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education. The Green Futures Education programme engages with the community and empowers individuals to participate in conservation and eco-tourism.
Funding for the Foundation is well supplemented by income generated by their various projects, such as our on-site nursery.
Grootbos has just launched its, Grootbos Florilegium, a collection of science based botanical artworks which seek to raise awareness about the beauty and significance of this remarkable plant kingdom and the accompanying entomology that all play a key role in the pollination of the fynbos.
We encourage visitors to the Cape to support this magnificent conservation effort by visiting The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in the Walker Bay area, which intriguingly takes its name from three ancient forests composed primarily of endemic Milkwood trees (some of which are more than 800 years old) located on the Reserve.