Steenbok Nature Reserve – Management Plan 2023:2024

STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2023/24

30 August 2023

  1. KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY (KM) – LEISURE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (LIRA): JOINT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
  • The KM – LIRA Agreement for the joint management of the Reserve has been extended until 2031.
  1. STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE (SNR) MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
    The SNR Management Committee comprises:
  • Three KM representatives: Sharon Sabbagh, Mulalo Musekene, Ivan van Wyk.
  • One SANParks representative: Pat Bopape (alt. Nico Oosthuizen).
  • Two LIRA representatives: Margaret Richards (chair), Craig Carter.
  • One Steenbok Trust representative: Diana Stromberg
  • Volunteer portfolio holders:  Diana Stromberg – Reserve Manager, James Botha – Finance, Barbara Krige – Communications, Ingrid Meter – Membership, Dave Stromberg – Planning and Projects.
  • KM stakeholder representatives to be confirmed.
  • New volunteer portfolio holders to be recruited to fill vacancies: Horticulture, Public Relations, Infrastructure.
  • Succession plans to be put into place.
  • Regular Management Committee meetings to be held.
  1. FRIENDS OF STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE TRUST
  • The Trustees are:  Brian Steele (chair), James Botha, Craig Carter, Ingrid Meter, Margaret Richards, Dave Stromberg, Diana Stromberg, Peter Surgey.
  1. TRUST MEMBERSHIP
  • Current database has about 400 addresses, of which about a third are annual contributors.
  • All Committee members to assist with the recruitment of new Trust members.
  • Membership database to be updated monthly.
  1. FINANCES
  • Financial Statements to be prepared monthly.
  • The Budget to be reviewed at mid-year.
  • The 2023/24 Budget is to be prepared by end-September 2023.

     6.  COMMUNICATIONS

  • E-mail correspondence to be answered frequently.
  • Four Mailchimp Newsletters to be published per year, and one AGM Notification.
  • Noticeboards to be updated after each Newsletter, and rainfall charts updated monthly.
  • Regular Facebook and Instagram articles to be posted.
  • Website to be updated periodically with Newsletters and Facebook posts, Children section, Fauna and Flora sections and Factsheets.
  • Monthly budget to be provided for a contractor to provide communication services to the Reserve.
  1. PUBLIC RELATIONS
  • Strong relationships to be developed and maintained with Knysna Municipality, SANParks, the Knysna Basin Project, the LI Boat Club and LI Country Club, local communities, general public etc.
  • Educational tours for school groups, societies etc. to be encouraged.
  • A Steenbok stall to be set up at the November Leisure Isle Festival.
  • Fundraising events to be encouraged.
  1. PLANNING
  • Engagements to be held with KM and SANParks to update the Reserve cadastral and lease map to reflect correct property and lease boundaries.
  • Efforts to formalise the long-term protection of the Reserve through rezoning or incorporation with SANParks to continue.
  1. GARDENS, NATURAL AREAS AND GRASSED AREAS.
  • Ivy Garden Services to be supervised by the Reserve Manager – prepare annual and monthly programs, and undertake weekly supervision.
  • Undertake ongoing clearing of alien and invasive vegetation.
  • Co-ordinate and direct KM mowing, trimming and clearing teams.
  • Encourage volunteers to assist with gardening activities.
  1. SALTMARSH
  • Boardwalk to be maintained regularly.
  1. KINGFISHER CREEK
  • Continue with the project to protect the saltmarsh.
  • Erect permanent educational signage to discourage walkers, cyclists and dog owners from damaging saltmarsh flora and fauna.
  • Erect post-and-rail barriers to block pathways that are damaging the saltmarsh.
  • Make improvements to the highwater path which serves as main access to Land’s End.
  • Investigate alternative pathway options to enhance visitor experience and further protect the inter-tidal saltmarsh.
  • Install pathway markers to direct walkers to preferred routes.
  1. LANDS END
  • Undertake trimming of low and invasive vegetation to increase visibility, aesthetic appeal, cleanliness and safety.
  • Maintain daily Allsound patrols. 
  1. SEAWALL
  • Undertake maintenance, and repair breakages in the seawall as authorised by SANParks.
  • Remedial work to be undertaken on low-lying portion of seawall and towpath at the Saltmarsh pipes.
  1. PATHWAYS
  • Co-ordinate KM mowing and trimming of pathways and towpath.
  • Upgrade the towpath with levelling and mowing to improve accessibility.
  • Undertake regular maintenance and weed control on the paved pathway.
  • Arrange for the uneven gravel parking areas outside the main entrance to the Reserve to be surfaced.
  • Investigate the feasibility of extending wheelchair and disabled access in the Reserve.
  1. PUBLIC TOILETS
  • Boat Club toilets are accessible to Reserve visitors.
  • Investigate options for toilets for the disabled.
  1. FENCING
  •  Maintain and repair the post-and-rail fencing around the Reserve.
  1. SIGNAGE
  • Temporary signs to be used as required and for ‘Dogs in the Reserve’ notifications, Brunsvigia protection etc.
  • Erect new Kingfisher Creek and Land’s End signage, including educational signage, pathway markers, and regulatory signs prohibiting cyclists and dogs from the saltmarsh.
  • Clean, replace and upgrade Reserve signage as required.
  • Replace main entrance signs with updated information, logos etc.
  1. BINS AND LITTER
  • Manage cleaning and litter collection staff with weekly inspections, monthly payments.
  • Supply bin bags, dog poop bags and cleaning materials.
  1. BENCHES
  • Maintenance to continue on existing benches.
  • Old concrete and timber benches to be replaced as sponsors become available.
  • When old benches are replaced, existing plaques are to be retained and efforts made to locate the original sponsors.
  1. 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. Replace damaged wiring, and rationalise the irrigation layout.
  1. AQUIFER WATERPUMP
  • Regular maintenance to be done.
  1. SEEDPOD
  • Twice-annual maintenance and repairs to be done – sand down and varnish.
  1. 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.
  • Volunteers to be utilized to inform visitors of the user protocols.
  1. GREEN FLAG CRITERIA
  • Management Committee to consider how the Green Flag assessment criteria could be used to improve Steenbok Reserve, with a view to applying for Green Flag status at some future date.