This year the Dargle Conservancy celebrates a decade of conservation. Originally, the Dargle Conservancy was formed in 1985 and despite the break of a few years of active conservation, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife recently recognised their almost 30 year commitment and outstanding contribution to conservation. Since it was re-established in 2003, Dargle Conservancy has worked hard to improve awareness of biodiversity conservation in the Midlands.
Many landowners are keen to share the splendour of their surroundings and regular, guided walks take place in Kilgobbin and Lemonwood forests and across the grass covered hills at Satori. These are popular with those who don't usually have access to the countryside, and serve to inspire everyone to cherish the biodiversity and to understand the eco-system goods and services which these areas provide humanity.
For many years, Dargle Conservancy has been working towards having a large area of private land officially proclaimed as part of the KZN Biodiversity Stewardship Programme to protect areas which contain critically important habitats, including Midlands Mist-belt Grasslands and indigenous Eastern Mist-belt Forests, home to many endangered species. The 1000ha Dargle Nature Reserve should be proclaimed by the end of this year incorporating 5 privately owned properties. These forward-thinking landowners are to be commended for their impressive contribution to conservation and for taking seriously their role as custodians of an important water catchment and some of the most vulnerable biodiversity in South Africa.
Join the Dargle Conservancy to mark this occasion on 9/10/11 August. Celebrations include a long table local dinner in the 100 year old Corrie Lynn Barn with David Johnson as guest speaker, a hike and picnic on Inhlosane, a walk through forest and grassland of the Dargle Nature Reserve with land art sculptures to celebrate the landscape. This is a weekend not to be missed! Have a look at the HowickVillage.co.za Events Pages for more information and contact details.
Pictures:
Inhlosane by Jethro Bronner
Forest Walk by Karen Edwards