- THE KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY (KM) – LEISURE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (LIRA) MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
- The KM – LIRA Agreement for the joint management of the Reserve has been extended until 2031.
2. STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE (SNR) MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The SNR Management Committee comprises:
- Three KM representatives: Sharon Sabbagh, Mulalo Musekene, Ivan van Wyk.
- One SANParks representative: Vanessa Weyer
- 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
- Bev Steele – Litter, Infrastructure Maintenance
Service Providers:
- Public Relations: Lexi Meier
- Reserve Maintenance: Ivy Garden Services
- Irrigation: ODI Landscaping – Mihan Roos
3. MANCOM’S RESPONSIBILITIES
- 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 a mid-year progress review meeting.
4. FRIENDS OF STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE TRUST
- The Trustees are: Brian Steele (Chair), James Botha, Craig Carter, Andrew Johnstone, Ingrid Meter, Margaret Richards, Dave Stromberg, Diana Stromberg and Peter Surgey.
5. TRUST MEMBERSHIP
- Current database has about 400 addresses, of which about a third are annual contributors.
- Membership database to be updated monthly.
- Tax certificates to be sent to all paid-up 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 2024/25 Budget to be prepared by end-September 2024.
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’s
- Section, Fauna and Flora Sections and Factsheets.
- Regular Facebook and Instagram articles to be posted.
8. PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Maintain strong relationships with Knysna Municipality, SANParks, environmental groups, the LI Boat Club and LI Country Club, local communities, general public etc.
- Prepare an information pamphlet about the Reserve for Island B&Bs.
- 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 organised.
9. PLANNING
- 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 formalise the long-term protection of the Reserve.
10. GARDENS, NATURAL AREAS AND GRASSED AREAS
- Direct and supervise Ivy Garden Services: prepare annual and monthly programs, and undertake weekly supervision.
- Undertake ongoing clearing of alien and invasive vegetation.
- Coordinate and direct KM mowing, trimming and clearing teams.
- Encourage volunteers to assist with gardening activities.
- Trim Roger’s Way annually to prevent shading of the LI tennis courts.
11. SALTMARSH
- Boardwalk to be maintained regularly.
12. KINGFISHER CREEK
- Continue with the project to protect the intertidal saltmarsh.
- Make improvements to the highwater path which serves as the main access to Land’s End.
- Investigate alternative pathway options to enhance visitor experience and further protect the saltmarsh.
- 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 patrols.
14. SEAWALL
- Undertake maintenance and repair breakages of the seawall, in compliance with LIRA’s environmental authorisations.
- Undertake repair work on the low-lying portion of seawall at the 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
- Improve the temporary signs used for ‘Dogs in the Reserve’ notifications, Brunsvigia protection etc.
- Clean, replace and upgrade Reserve signage as required.
- Install 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.
20. BENCHES
- Continue with maintenance of existing benches.
- Old concrete and timber benches to be replaced as sponsors become available.
- Existing plaques are to be retained on the 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 rationalise 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.
- Utilise volunteers to inform visitors of the User Protocols.
25. GREEN FLAG CRITERIA
- Green Flag assessment criteria to be used in the management of Steenbok Reserve, with a view to applying for Green Flag status at some future date.