MARCH 2026 ISSUE

Grassroots: GSA Newsletter

Welcome

It’s the beginning of a new year, and we all start off with great enthusiasm - planning ahead and making new year’s resolutions. The question is, will we stick to our plans and how many of those resolutions will fall by the wayside?

It’s important to be organised and to keep one’s eye on the goals we have set, but flexibility and open mindedness is important too. Circumstances may change unexpectedly or solutions we did not anticipate may present themselves. Too much rigidity may cause us to miss out on opportunities or lose sight of what is really important.

If we want to learn about keeping a balance in our lives, we need only look at Nature. She keeps to her systems, proven over time, but knows how to adapt when she must and take advantage of unanticipated opportunities that come her way.

Here’s an excellent New Year’s resolution: Consider taking time out of your hectic schedule regularly just to enjoy the wonders of Nature. You will learn without even realizing it, you will find peace, experience wonder and the kind of joy that is not attached to material belongings. You will find balance.

Photo credit bottom banner: Brigette Hackl

Thank You

A huge thank you to our volunteers for the Run/Walk the Rhenoster and the very challenging Ride the Rhenoster in 2025. You make so much possible.

This year is still young, but we can already thank those who have stepped forward and offered to sponsor a child to attend our School Programme Wild Crew outings each month. You are truly making a difference.

We would also like to thank our snare walk teams who did snare walks right through the festive season and continue to protect our wildlife week after week.

Further thanks goes out to those Landowners who have doggedly kept up the fight against Invasive Alien vegetation, particularly Pompom. Your efforts are not in vain and this season GDEnv, partnered with Environmental Empowerment Services, have joined us in our efforts, with an impressive programme on the offset properties in Doornrandje and Rietfontein (Hills and Dales). Read all about in Reports from the Veld.

Events

Ride the Rhenoster 2025: Grit, Mud & Glory

Record bookings. Terrible weather. Unforgettable spirit. From 82-year-old first-time riders to soaked marshals who never left their posts, this year’s Ride the Rhenoster proved that resilience beats rain.

Read the full event recap.

Wild Crew Returns to the Wetlands

Our first outing of the year saw 27 children exploring crabs, damselfly nymphs and water life firsthand. Thanks to generous sponsors, more children than ever could attend - and even a rare Grass Owl made an appearance.

Discover what the children learned.

Reports from the Veld

Grassland Rehabilitation in Action

Major alien vegetation removal is underway across Rietfontein and Egoli Granite Grasslands. From Bankrupt Bush to Pompom and Lantana, teams are restoring balance to these fragile ecosystems.

Snares Update

A New Strategy Against Snares

Weekly snare walks have dramatically reduced wildlife threats in the reserve. What started with 15 snares at a time has now dropped to near zero — thanks to vigilance and persistence.

Friends of the Reserve Programme

The CRR Friends of the Reserve Programme will be getting a facelift! A young and enthusiastic teacher living in the CRR has volunteered to take on our Friends of the Reserve Programme. This is an excellent way to ‘spread the word’ about our beautiful Reserve, encourage people to take part in our events and activities and ultimately create awareness outside of the CRR. It will also open the door to more volunteer initiatives, especially when dealing with challenges like alien vegetation.

Special in the CRR

Why Crabs Matter More Than You Think

Freshwater crabs play a vital role in keeping our wetlands healthy. From aerating soil to supporting entire food chains. And yes, baby crabs hatch fully formed!

Meet the wetlands’ tiny ecosystem engineers.

The Goodie & The Baddie

Typha capensis keeps wetlands thriving. Imperata cylindrica threatens to choke them. Learn how to tell the difference, and what to do if you spot the invader.

Read how to protect our wetlands.

Notices

For 2026 the CRR already has a full calendar of events set up for the year with a few exciting additions:

·   For the first time the School Programme team will be doing Wild Crew outings every 3 months on the Western side of the Reserve (the Lanseria side) as well.

·   We will be doing a kids Mountain Bike challenge in tandem with our well-known annual Ride the Rhenoster Cycling Challenge.

Have you captured the beauty of the reserve? Whether it’s a stunning landscape, a rare species, or just the everyday magic of nature, we’d love to see it! Your photos help us confirm the presence of wildlife, like the sighting of a secretarybird shared by Adrian Hampson.

No need to worry if it's a rare sighting or not—every photo helps us celebrate and conserve the natural beauty of the reserve. So, whether it’s flora, fauna, or the awe-inspiring scenery, send us your snaps and be part of our conservation story! And if you're happy with us to share the images on our social media, website, or upcoming newsletters, be sure to let us know as well.

#pos:unsub