Steenbok Nature Reserve – Management Plan 2025 / 2026

 

STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE 2025/26 MANAGEMENT PLAN

 

1. THE KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY (KM) – LEISURE ISLE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (LIRA) MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

  • Steenbok Nature Reserve (SNR) is jointly managed by the Knysna Municipality and LIRA in terms of the KM – LIRA Agreement. The objectives of the Reserve are to:
  • Manage the eco-systems on the north shore of Leisure Isle for the benefit of future generations.
  • Nurture and protect the natural beauty of the Reserve.
  • Create and maintain a place of enjoyment for all, whilst recognizing the protocols applicable to nature conservation areas.
  • Establish representative plant communities as found in similar eco-locations along the Garden Route.
  • Protect plant life indigenous to Knysna, Leisure Isle, and the salt marshes.

2.  STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (MANCOM)
The SNR Management Committee comprises:

  • Three KM representatives: Sharon Sabbagh, Mulalo Musekene, Ivan van Wyk
  • One SANParks representative: Vanessa Weyer, alt. Elmonique Petersen
  • Two LIRA representatives: Diana Stromberg (Chair), Ingrid Meter (Deputy)
  • One Steenbok Trust representative: James Botha (Treasurer)Volunteer portfolio holders:
  • Diana Stromberg – Reserve Maintenance, Communication
  • Ingrid Meter – Membership
  • Dave Stromberg – Planning and Projects, Infrastructure Maintenance
  • Bev Steele – Litter managementService Providers:
  • Social Media, Public Relations and Administration: Lexi Meier
  • Reserve Maintenance: Ivy Garden Services
  • Irrigation: ODI Landscaping – Mihan Roos

3. MANCOM’SRESPONSIBILITIES

  • Represent the stakeholders as per the KM – LIRA Agreement.
  • Hold regular Management Committee meetings.
  • Prepare SNR Management Plan and Budget.
  • Review progress against the Management Plan and Budget
  • Hold mid-year progress review meeting.

4. FRIENDSOFSTEENBOKNATURERESERVETRUST

  • The Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve Trust was established by LIRA to manage LIRA’s responsibilities arising from the KM-LIRA Agreement, and to manage Reserve funds and expenditure, as approved by MANCOM.
  • The Trustees are: Brian Steele (Chair), James Botha, Craig Carter, Andrew Johnstone, Ingrid Meter, Margaret Richards, Dave Stromberg, Diana Stromberg and Peter Surgey.

5. TRUSTMEMBERSHIP

  • Current database has 400 addresses, of which about a third are annual contributors.
  • Membership database to be updated monthly.
  • Tax certificates to be sent to all contributing members by midyear.
  • All Committee members to assist with the recruitment of new Trust members.

6. FINANCES

  • Financial Statements to be prepared monthly.
  • The Budget to be reviewed at mid-year.
  • The 2025/26 Budget to be prepared by end-September 2025.

7. COMMUNICATIONS

  • E-mail correspondence to be answered promptly.
  • Four Mailchimp Newsletters to be published per year.
  • Noticeboards to be updated after each Newsletter, and rainfall charts updated monthly.
  • Website to be updated periodically with Newsletters and Facebook posts, Children’sSection, Fauna and Flora Sections and Factsheets.
  • Regular Facebook and Instagram articles to be posted.

8. PUBLICRELATIONS

  • Maintain strong relationships with Knysna Municipality, SANParks, environmental groups, the LI Boat Club and LI Country Club, local communities, general public etc.
  • Encourage educational tours for school groups, societies etc.
  • A Steenbok stall to be set up at the November Leisure Isle Festival.
  • Fundraising events to be organized.

9. PLANNING

  • Engagements to be held with LIRA, LICC and LIBC to co-ordinate planning of the land-use requirements.
  • Engagements to be held with KM and SANParks to update the Reserve cadastral and lease map to reflect correct property and lease boundaries.
  • Continue with efforts to formalize the long-term protection of the Reserve.
  • Green Flag assessment criteria to be used in the management of Steenbok Reserve.
  • Prepare a first draft of a Long-term Plan for the Reserve, with a view to applying for Green Flag status at some future date.
  • Investigate options for formalizing boat trailer parking on Harbor Road verges

10. GARDENS, NATURAL AREAS AND GRASSED AREAS.

  • Direct and supervise Ivy Garden Services: prepare annual and monthly programs, and undertake weekly supervision.
  • Upgrade the Indigenous gardens with new information signs.
  • Coordinate and direct KM mowing, trimming and clearing teams.
  • Encourage volunteers to assist with environmental activities.
  • Trim Roger’s Way annually to prevent shading of the LICC tennis courts.

11. SALT MARSH

  • Boardwalk to be maintained regularly.

12. KINGFISHER CREEK

  • Continue with the project to protect the intertidal salt marsh.
  • Make improvements to the high-water path which serves as the main access to Land’s End.
  • Investigate alternative pathway options to enhance visitor experience and further protect the salt marsh.
  • Remove all invasive vegetation obstructing pathways to Kingfisher Creek.

13. LANDS END

  • Undertake trimming of low and invasive vegetation to increase visibility, aesthetic appeal, cleanliness and safety.
  • Ensure that Allsound maintains daily security patrols.

14. SEAWALL

  • Undertake maintenance and repair breakages of the seawall, in compliance with LIRA’s environmental authorizations.
  • Start investigations of the desirability of allowing tidal flow into the western saltmarsh.

15. PATHWAYS

  • Coordinate KM mowing and trimming of pathways and towpath.
  • Undertake regular maintenance and weed control on the paved pathway.
  • Repair and maintain the paved pathway.
  • Investigate the feasibility of extending wheelchair and disabled access in the Reserve.

16. PUBLIC TOILETS

  • Keep the Boat Club toilets accessible to Reserve visitors.
  • Investigate options for toilets for the disabled.

17. FENCING

  • Maintain and repair the post-and-rail fencing around the Reserve. 18. SIGNAGE
  • Clean, replace and upgrade Reserve signage as required.
  • Install QR signs on the dog bag dispensers to encourage support for the Trust.

19. BINS AND LITTER

  • Manage cleaning and litter collection staff, with weekly inspections, monthly payments.
  • Supply bin bags, dog poop bags and cleaning materials.
  • Ensure Allsound guards refill dog poop bag dispensers daily.

20. BENCHES

  • Maintain existing benches.

Existing plaques are to be retained on any replaced benches, and efforts made to locate the original sponsors.

21. IRRIGATION SYSTEM

  • Seasonal maintenance and adjustment to be done quarterly. Service provider to undertake repairs and improvements as required.
  • Neaten the system by repositioning sprinklers to less visible positions, and rationalize the irrigation layout.

22. AQUIFER WATER PUMP

  • Regular maintenance to be done.

23. SEEDPOD

  • Twice annual maintenance to be done.

24. RESERVE PROTOCOLS

  • Management Committee to review and update User Protocols appropriate for the Reserve, with emphasis on the management of dogs and cyclists in the Reserve.
  • Utilize volunteers to inform visitors of the User Protocols.

15 September 2025