MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN IN STEENBOK
After the long, hot summer, Steenbok visitors are looking forward to the cooler autumn days when they can enjoy an evening walk along the seawall Towpath. The Reserve boasts fantastic sunset views that are enjoyed by all. Autumn in Steenbok marks the middle of our financial year. This is the time that our Management Committee reviews the progress on all the work done over the previous six months, and updates the program for the projects planned for the rest of the year. This newsletter will be highlighting a few of the completed projects, and gives information on the planned projects.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Repairs to the Paved Pathway
The very popular paved walkway, which was laid down in 2008 to make the Reserve more easily accessible, is in need of a few minor repairs. These repairs will be done this month, and hopefully, will not cause too much of an inconvenience to our visitors, and will result in a level and safer pathway.
Seawall Repairs
The Steenbok Reserve seawall is an 850m long stone rubble wall
with a protective gunite cement coating, and with a height of about 1.5m above beach level. The seawall serves the function of protecting the northern shore of the Island, and is generally in good condition.
Last year the condition of the seawall was evaluated to identify maintenance and repairs required to prevent further damage or erosion, to address potentially dangerous and aesthetically unsightly areas, and to identify areas requiring improvements.
An environmental authorisation for the work is in progress, and once this is received from the KM Environment Department, work will start at the Boat Club end of the seawall and progress eastward towards the Towpath Entrance.
Clearing Access Paths at Land’s End and Kingfisher Creek
This clearing work takes place every two years and is done during the winter months. The main purpose of this project is to clear invasive vegetation at the edge of the saltmarsh to encourage growth of the natural vegetation.
Taaibos and other invasive vegetation is also cut back in the Dune Forest to improve access, visibility and security in this area.
RESERVE MAINTENANCE
A New Peace Garden
While walking along the Paved Pathway towards the Aquifer Gardens, you will notice an area with newly-planted shrubs. This is Steenbok’s new ‘Peace Garden’, an idea that has been around for a couple of years.
With the help of Kathy Michaledies, a well-known Friend of Steenbok, the garden is finally a reality. All the indigenous aloes, and fynbos with mostly white, purple and pink flowers, were carefully selected and donated by Kathy, who was on hand to assist with the placing and planting. The rainfall during April was very welcome for watering these young shrubs. A special addition to the garden is a sand olive tree, which doesn’t have a direct symbolic association with peace in the way some other plants or symbols do. However, it is often used in landscaping due to its fast-growing, drought-resistant, and low-maintenance nature, which can be seen as representing resilience and adaptability – qualities that are often associated with peace and stability.
Volunteers in Steenbok
This is a community of very special volunteers which is growing with the help of the students wanting to complete their community hours and the wonderful Knysna Lions Club who dedicate their time to us each month. This year’s project, which started in January, is to beautify the Indigenous gardens. The aim is to create an environment that is naturally pleasing to visitors as well as clearing areas for a better view of the Lagoon. Anyone interested in joining this group please contact lexi.meier66@gmail.com and she will be happy to add you to the Steenbok Hack group.
Every year on Valentine’s Day, the Friends of Steenbok wait in anticipation for the results of the annual Brunsvigia count.
This year the counting team of Steenbok volunteers was joined by the SANParks Honorary Rangers, and with this large team no flower or dried stalk was left unnoticed.
Visit this link for the Results of the 2025 Brunsvigia Count
INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE
The replacement of damaged concrete benches with recycled benches is nearly complete, with only one bench on the Towpath still to be replaced.
The benches are closely monitored, and the biggest challenge is litter being left around some of the benches. A problem bench was recently moved from an isolated area to the edge of the Indigenous Gardens, eradicating the litter problem, and providing another enjoyable resting spot with spectacular views of the lagoon.
The Reserve has now reached its quota for dog bins, with 29 bins positioned to be aesthetically pleasing and also convenient for dog walkers to dispose their dog poop. Steenbok does however have a policy enabling dog owners to share an existing bin.
If you are interested in adopting a bench or sharing a bin please email
Ingrid Meter ingridmeter13@gmail.com
APRIL RAINFALL REPORT
The April Rainfall was 93 mm which is substantially higher than the 10 year average figure of 57 mm. The year to date picture continues to look very positive with the April year to date figure of 284 mm being well ahead of the 10 year figure of 200 mm. Gardeners are happy.
SOMETHING NEW FOR THE B & Bs
Due to its growing popularity, the Reserve has seen an increase in the number of new visitors, many of whom are staying in local B&Bs. Our Management Committee, which includes SANParks and Knysna Municipality, decided to create a Steenbok Leaflet for the B&Bs. This two-page leaflet is full of information about what to do in the Steenbok Nature Reserve, as well as giving important contact numbers and a handy walking map. These links will enable you to download the leaflets in colour or black and white for printing.
WHO CARES ABOUT THE KNYSNA ESTUARY? And what role does Steenbok play?
With the growing concerns about the environmental state of the Knysna lagoon, it is always reassuring to know that there are a number of groups, including SANParks, the Knysna Municipality, and the Knysna Estuary Research Foundation who closely monitor this precious piece of nature. Members of the Steenbok committee regularly attend SANParks’ Knysna Forum meetings, which include a number of important stakeholders, and we submit reports regarding our work in sensitive areas in the Reserve. The Friends of Steenbok are also privileged to have regular updates from Professor Richard Barnes on the latest research done regarding the Knysna estuary.
The latest research paper from Professor Richard Barnes and Jessica Seath from the Knysna Estuary Research Foundation is available for reading on the Steenbok website.
KIDS CORNER
Suzie Thomopoulos, who is responsible for our Kids Corner website pages, decided to have a bit of ‘April Fools’ fun, with an amusing post that also shared important information with our younger readers.
The April 1st Facebook post brought a smile, and returned comments from our followers.
For those who missed the post please visit the links below for the full story plus an extra activity page.
FLORA
Hermannia lavandulifolia – lavender dollrose
A healthy example of this plant can be found in the Aquifer Gardens in Steenbok. It was introduced into the Reserve after last winter’s floods wiped out most of the vegetation in this area. It is remarkably drought-tolerant and well-suited to the gardens adjacent to the paved pathway. This plant is part of the fynbos family, and is commonly known as ‘dollrose’. It is frequently visited by bees and butterflies.
Threats
Hermannia lavandulifolia has lost nearly 80% of its habitat to crop cultivation in the past, and this loss continues. It is also threatened by habitat loss to coastal development between Stilbaai and Plettenberg Bay. Subpopulations on the southern Cape coast are also threatened by competition from dense infestations of alien invasive plants.
Population
It is still common in spite of extensive historical habitat loss, but continues to decline. It has lost 8% of its habitat between 1990 and 2014, and based on the observed rate of loss, a population reduction of 31% over three generations (60 years) is inferred.
FAUNA
Migration of Birds
Towards the end of March, and during April and May, as the weather starts to warm up in the Northern Hemisphere, many of our migrant waders, including Whimbrels, Greenshanks, Grey and Common Ringed Plovers, as well as Curlew Sandpipers, will begin the long journey back to their breeding grounds in Siberia and Russia. Thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteers involved in the Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC), we know that over 1,600 migrant waders spend the summer enjoying the warmth and nourishment of the Knysna estuary. Some, like the Curlew Sandpiper, will probably stop to refuel three times during their 13,000km flight north. Others like the Whimbrel (a larger bird), travel up to 3,800km without stopping. Do not be surprised to see some migrant waders here during our winter. Waders like the Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank and Grey Plover do not breed in the first season after hatching. Instead, these juveniles take a ‘gap year’ after their trip south, and only migrate north to their breeding areas with the adults during their second season.
Please visit this link to get the FEBRUARY 2025 CWAC COUNT
MEMBERSHIP & FINANCE
Are you a contributing Friend of Steenbok Nature Reserve? Would you like to be?
● If so, have you deposited the 2025 contribution yet? (R600 per year, or R50 monthly, or whatever figure you choose). Please see our banking details below. All contributions are tax deductible.
Do you need a 2024/25 Section 18A Tax Certificate?
● If so, do we have your relevant information which SARS requires? (contact number, residential address, ID number). If we do not yet have these, please send your relevant information to Ingrid Meter ingridmeter13@gmail.com, and she will provide you with a Tax Certificate. Steenbok Nature Reserve is a Public Benefit Organization in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act 1962.
Apply online to become a Friend of Steenbok Nature Reserve or make a direct payment of R50 p/m or R600 p/a to:
The Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve Trust
Standard Bank – Knysna Branch 050-314
Account No 082579342
Quote your name and surname as your reference.
Thank you to all our Friends who have already made a
contribution in SNR’s 2024/25 financial year.