OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE

Grassroots: GSA Newsletter

Welcome

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - The CRR is 5 years old this month.

Much has been achieved in this time, and although the protection of our biodiversity is ongoing, it is still a milestone well worth celebrating.

• 70% of our Members now pay their levies, which covers the administration and organization of the CRR.
• 3060 Hectares of private land has been added to the original 2620Ha in 2019.
• Our Bio-control programme for Pompom is now in its second season and providing us with much needed data that will help us to reduce the use of herbicides over time.
• Our snare walk groups are extending to other parts of the Reserve offering better protection for our free roaming wildlife.
• The use of EarthRanger is better helping us map snares, alien vegetation and indigenous fauna and flora.

To highlight the 5 year milestone, this edition covers:

The successful first audit by GDARDE on the progress made in the CRR on the GSA Integrated Management plan (IMP) took place in August. If you haven’t already done so, access the IMP on the CRR website by clicking here: http://crocodileriverreserve.co.za/integrated-management-plan/#1

Pride in the many special species we have spotted in the CRR, and how you can help protect them.

Photo credit top banner: Carmen Warmenhove
Photo credit bottom banner: Nadine Louw

Thank You

Thank you to every Member, Landowner, Resident and Employee who helped tirelessly to fight the fires on the Eastern side of the CRR. Thank you to every person who helped those in need (people, pets, livestock and wildlife) in the aftermath of this unprecedented disaster.

First Annual Audit of the CRR by GDARDE

To ensure we're consistently meeting our goals, we're conducting an in-depth Audit to evaluate our performance according to our IMP. For a detailed breakdown of the process and how it impacts our ongoing efforts, you can read more here.

Reports from the Veld

Fire has long been a source of debate—can it truly be both friend and foe? Our latest blog explores the complexities of fire's role and why it's not always as destructive as it seems. Dive deeper into this fascinating topic by reading more here.

Snare Walk Events

We recently attended the two day Snare Symposium in Pretoria. Click here to read what we’ve learned there.

Special in the CRR

Birding in the Crocodile River Reserve

In this past month we were privileged to have a visit from Philip Calinikos and Toriso Tlou from Birdlife Northern Gauteng, who were here to do ‘bird atlasing’. They were doing this as part of the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2, which assists in determining the distribution and relative abundance of birds throughout Africa. The first project began in 1987 and resulted in the publication of The Atlas of Southern Africa Birds in 1997. Project 2 is a continuation of this critical work. Read what Philip had to say about his visit to our neck of the Grasslands by clicking here.

Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Philip and Toriso were hoping to put the Secretarybird on their list of sightings in the CRR. Unfortunately, this was not to be, but thanks to Adrian Hampson (who managed to snap a picture) and Lynette Wood’s sighting we know they can be found here. Click here to read more about this amazing bird.

Photo Credit: Adrian Hampson

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.

Reminders And Important Dates To Diarise

• The Walk/Run the Rhenoster happened earlier this year with enthusiastic participants enjoying the Riverside Estate and Rhenosterspruit areas of the CRR. Now it’s time for our annual cycling challenge RIDE THE RHENOSTER which will be taking place on the 27TH OF OCTOBER in the Doornrandje, Roodekrans and Hennops areas of the CRR. Help us to make this Ride the very best yet! How can you support us? If you cycle, book a ticket, if you don’t cycle but would like to be a part of this exciting event, volunteer! Contact Jumarie on jumarievanrooyen13@gmail.com for more information.

• It’s POMPOM season again. Remember that the sooner you start to deal with the Purple Menace the better. Dot Henwood can be reached on oakviewgardens@gmail.com or 084 807-5633 if you would like to purchase herbicide, book a team to assist you or for advice.

• Support our events and school programme. November’s event is all about Art in the CRR. If you love being creative then this is the event for you. The monthly HOMESCHOOLING outing will take place on Friday the 8TH OF NOVEMBER and our last CRR Nature Explorer’s Club outing for the year will be on Saturday the 30TH OF NOVEMBER. You can email events@crocodileriverreserve.co.za for more information on our events or check our website closer to the event dates.