Flower Valley, South AfricaThe Wildlife Land Trust partnered with Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and the Flower Valley Conservation Trust (FVCT) to protect animal and plant species in an important region of South Africa. When a 1,197-acre property in a region called Flower Valley was placed on the market, nearby grape farmers and developers began eyeing the property, while other interests began unsustainable harvesting of wild flowers. Thankfully, a concerned landowner in the region informed FFI of the potential sale of the property and pointed out that the area had been declared a priority for the long-term conservation of lowland fynbos, an ecosystem unique to South Africa.This ecosystem is characterized by the presence of fynbos, or “fine-bush.” A fire-prone shrub that grows on the infertile, sandy soils of the region, fynbos covers approximately half the area of the Cape Floristic Region, one of the six botanical kingdoms of the world. With more than 7,000 species in an area of 28,520 square miles, it is the most botanically rich habitat on earth, with an even higher level of plant diversity than the world’s rainforests. FFI undertook a rapid biodiversity survey and decided to purchase the land in the name of the local nongovernmental organization, the FVCT. To help ensure the permanent protection of the area, FFI sought to work collaboratively with The Wildlife Land Trust, with additional assistance from EarthVoice. Flower Valley is home to more than 1,500 animals and plants called “Red Data Book” species (those that are endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or rare), including animals such as klipspringer, bontebock, blesbock, duiker, serval, and leopard. The long-term vision for the entire area is to reintroduce large herbivores, such as hippopotamus, kudus, and rhinoceros, so that they might roam the land once again, this time in the safety provided by designation as a Wildlife Land Trust protected sanctuary. |
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