THE Klapmutskop Renosterveld Conservancy has just been expanded by more than three and a half times its original size (from around 190 hectares to over 680 hectares).
It now includes some additional and important Simonsberg Ward farms and is proof that the wine industry is pulling together in its commitment to conservation.
Delheim (through its Delvera farm) was the pioneer and a founder member of the Conservancy in 2004 when it was joined by Warwick, Elsenberg, Le Bonheur and East Hill wine farms, all of which share the Klapmutskop land.
The Klapmutskop Conservancy, which was the 2007 winner for the best managed conservancy, now includes Muratie, Delheim (the main farm), Quoin Rock, Knorhoek, Kanonkop, Uitkyk, Rustenberg and Marklew.
The first undertaking by the newly expanded conservancy, which is applying for NGO status, will be to rid the farms of alien vegetation. This equates to 468 hectares of land that will be cleared.
The main alien offenders on the farms are Black Wattle, Bloekom and Pine trees.
The Klapmutskop Conservancy now has just over 682 hectares under its protection and this means that more rare seeds can be propagated in conjunction with the Millennium Seedbank Project, more people can be given jobs and training in environmental issues, more youngsters can attend environmental ‘outdoor’ classes and, of course, more land will be returned to its natural state so that the rare renosterveld and eco-system of the region may flourish.
