Our "Christmas in July" social care project, the brain-child of Lourie Laatz, was a huge success.

In previous newsletters, we reported on various conservation issues in our Conservancy. As time went by, it became clear that the various landowners had different views and ideas regarding what was desirable or undesirable for the Conservancy.

We are starting our conservation debate with a discussion on all kinds of pollution and how to manage our resources. This edition will deal with the effect of the noise pollution on our area, caused by aircraft.

The next two months, until we have had our first rain, will be the most dangerous time for veld fires.  No more fire breaks should be burned from now on.

We received many different comments on our article about the indiscriminate chopping down of indigenous trees in the Conservancy. Here is what you had to say -

• “When an official of the Department of Agriculture visited me recently, he commented that the Karee was invading the area. Apparently, these trees have no natural enemies. He suggested that we manage the Karee population”.
• “For me it was a wake-up call, in the sense that I know workers need wood for heat and food, but that I have not thought about giving them guidelines, i.e. this tree, but not that one”.
• “Biodiversity, the character of the natural environment and sustainable use should be served and not put at risk. Stakeholders don’t all share the same interests, and we should foster mutual respect for the co-existence of social diversity, without putting the aforementioned at risk”.

Maybe a balance should be maintained at all times – Ed.

Nowadays, most people walk around with bottled water, because they think that designer water, such as imported French water or “fresh water from a fountain” is healthier than ordinary tap water. What is the situation in South Africa?

July’s Wild Flower of the Month is the Lippia javanica, commonly known as Fever tea or Wild tea.