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FOR TODAY -FOREVER
Caring for our natural heritage - Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve
Much has been written and discussed about the protection and upgrading of the Northern Shores of Leisure Isle (Steenbok Park and Kingfisher Creek) to an improved conservation status - which would hopefully lead to this area being properly protected within the next 5 years by the most appropriate environmental legislation available.
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A Brief History of Steenbok Nature reserve
In 1930 the developer of Leisure Isle, George Cearn, started to develop Steenbok Park as a recreation area for the people of Knysna. It has been a golf course, an airstrip and then with funding from individual residents and the Rowland & Leta Hill Trust the area started it’s transition to a nature reserve.
In 2005 it became apparent that it might be considered for development, so Leisure Isle residents and other nature conscious organisations formed an action group to ensure that the area would be protected as a domain of nature for posterity.
Goals
- Nurture and protect the environmental heritage of Steenbok Park & Kingfisher Creek in perpetuity.
- Implement appropriate environmental management and action plans on a continuous basis.
- Ensure that the area can be enjoyed and appreciated by all the residents and visitors of Knysna, now and forever.
Progress to Date
The Wandelpad link between Steenbok Park and Kingfisher Creek has been established, formal wheel chair paths and nature walks put in place, new benches and litter bins added and board walks established.
The indigenous garden has been expanded in size and diversity, other gardened areas upgraded and indigenous tree copses established in place of aliens. Signage has been upgraded, an education lapa established and our website www.steenboknaturereserve.org.za launched under professional management.
The footprint of those passionately favouring preservation and nurturing of special areas of Knysna's natural environment is now firmly imprinted on the northern shores of Leisure Isle. With the application of ongoing 'tender loving care' the retention of this Reserve as one of the special jewels of Knysna is now assured.
Plans for the Future
Subject to available resources, we plan to do the following:
- Nurturing recently planted areas to bring the flora to a self sustainable stage.
- Introducing 'spike water' exhibit.
- Introduction of plant specie signs in the Indigenous Garden.
- New natural garden near the Horne Road intersection to be managed by nearby residents.
- Introducing more formality in the allocation of memory benches and trees.
- Implementation of programme to control or gradually eradicate Imperata cylindrica, a spreading invasive grass.
- Expansion of the Reserve’s website www.steenboknaturereserve.org.za to include many more species and feature articles relating to the Reserve.
- Introduction of basic environmental course for children.
- Launching of 'Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve'.
- Pursuing discussions with SANParks with a view to possible participation in the recently formalised 'Garden Route
National Park'.
How you can help?
- Join the Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve and contribute R 250 p.a. to the costs.
- Become a volunteer and help maintain or develop an area of the reserve.
- Make an additional one off, or annual, donation to the environmental work of the Reserve.
- Help recruit additional friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve.
- Include a legacy in your will.
Contact: Flo Vosloo 044 384 0266
Membership Form
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© Steenbok Nature Reserve 2009
P O Box 676, Knysna, 6570
Tel (083)754 5390 or 044 384 1896
Email: info@steenboknaturereserve.org.za
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