Reg No GCA065

The Vision of the Drumblade Conservancy is to represent residents who appreciate the natural habitat of the region and would like to preserve and conserve a relatively rural way of life in an area which sustains several endangered species, wetlands and ridges in order to ensure no further general degradation of the environment.  We aim to create awareness of the uniqueness of the Drumblade area, our indigenous flora and fauna, and ensure its re-establishment and protection for future generations of Drumbladers.

The Mission of the Drumblade Conservancy is to:

• Promote conservation on private property and to protect our disappearing greenbelt area, cultural heritage and natural flora and fauna.
• Protect our area from illegal mining activities, dumping of refuse, overgrazing, wildfires, game poaching, theft of plants and rocks, illegal tree felling, control of alien and invasive vegetation, indiscriminate development and environmentally unfriendly businesses within the area.
• Work with neighbouring Conservancies to protect the natural environment
• Actively involve all residents within our conservancy in conservation issues.
• Generate interest and active participation by landowners, in the conservation of indigenous fauna and flora and the protection of the environment of the area.
• Monitor proposed developments in the area, and if necessary, to object to developments that do not have the support of the residents and landowners.

So, grab your binoculars and cameras and get out there exploring your environment! 

Tip of the Month

 

Before anyone asks why I am not mentioning yellowwoods and fynbos etc. it is because these monthly tips are meant to encourage local indigenous plants which occur naturally in the Bankenveld which is the Ecozone in which the Drumblade conservancy is located.

 

September

 

If you want to plant a fast growing, indigenous windbreak, try buddlias, dogwood or wild olive instead of pesky privets.

 

And while you are in the garden look out for the invasive black locust (robinia pseudoacacia) which is very pretty, and has the lovliest scent, but what a pest!  It sends up suckers all over the place and one little tree soon becomes a thorny forest.  To remove it, you have to either poison the tree or dig up the roots, cutting down the tree wont get rid of them.  It is best to eradicate them while they are still small and relativley few of them, or at least remove all new plants each season.

October

Our tip last month was about creating a wind break and this month we keep with that theme.  To develop a garden on the Highveld you have to create a wind break unless you are lucky enough to have a natural feature like a koppie to use.  Remember that you already have manmade wind breaks on your property, such as your house and garden walls which should all be part the planning your garden.  Try using manmade timber screens which you can find being sold on the side of the road.  By purchasing these wind breaks you will be assisting in the eradicating of alien invaders.  To add to last month's list of trees to create a windbreak, plant fast growing trees like sweet thorn (Acacia karoo), ouhout (Leucosidea sericea), false olive (Buddleja saligna), sagewood (Buddleja salviifolia) and not so fast growing but very effective black karee (Rhus lancea).

 

November

 

In the last two tips I have talked about windbreaks, this time I am suggesting that you try and provide protection the way nature does it in the veld.  Trees and shrubs do seed naturally in the grasslands but the next veld fire kills them.  What you do see is trees and shrubs growing out of rocky outcrops, or piles of rocks.  The rock provides protection to young plants from wind, fire and frost.  If you have rocky spot plant your trees and shrubs in between them, just make sure that even if you can’t dig decent sized hole that there cracks for the roots to spread into.  If needs be add a wheelbarrow or two of top soil.  If you don’t have a naturally occurring rocky area, there nothing stopping you from making one.  Next month I will list some suitable plants for your “outcrop”.

 

December

 

I hope that some of you have started planning your rocky outcrop.  I am assuming that as in nature your outcrop is in a drier part of your propert.  Although I am suggesting trees that can withstand drought please water them until they are established and then reduce watering over a few seasons.

Try planting a thorn tree, the one that grows best in Drumblade is the Acacia Karoo (Sweet Thorn) which has yellow flowers in December / January, you can also try Acacia Robusta (Splendid Thorn) which has white flowers from August to October and Acacia Caffra (Common Hook Thorn) which has cream flowers in October and November but you must find trees that were profligated from seed in area with equally severe winters. If you are really keen contact Thorntree conservancy (our neighbours to the south) who sell the seeds to raise funds.

Next month more trees for your outcrop, but while I am on the subject of Acacias there is one more locally indigenous Acacia which grows in our area that is the Acacia Tortillis (Umbrella Thorn) which has white to yellow flowers from October to January.  The Acacia Tortillis has a beautiful form and can be a fine specimen tree on your lawn.  I have group of five trees placed randomly about six metres apart.

 

Plant Indigenous - click on List of trees for our area

Bird Watchers - click on List of Birds in the Area



Owl Boxes

We have owl boxes in stock @ R200 each.  The boxes are suitable for eagle owls, AND we also have barn owl boxes in stock.  Contact Elaine 082 573 2780 or Di 079 895 4121 to order your owl box.


Are you a member of the Drumblade Conservancy?

A Conservancy is defined as "the voluntary association between land owners or land users to manage their properties in an environmentally friendly manner without changing the land use."

The primary aim of the Drumblade Conservancy is conservation and management.  The Conservancy can benefit residents by supplying advice in order to improve our natural environment, resulting in more profitable properties and healthier surroundings.  Healthy surroundings will also make the area more attractive to visitors and increase the value of our properties.

The Conservancy will not interfere with the running of individual plots or farms, but will assist Conservancy members who request information regarding environmentally friendly farming methods, control of invader plants. We can all work together to identify vulnerable plants and animals, historical sites needing protection etc and work together to protect them!

By having a conservancy we will have a SINGLE strong VOICE  to help us protect  to protect this beautiful natural area.  The value of your property will escalate if the area is attractive because it falls within a well-run Conservancy.

Show your support by becoming a member and taking an active part in the running and activities of the Conservancy.

You will get a quarterly newsletter informing you of fun Conservancy events planned with you in mind i.e.  hands-on conservation actions, social bring and braais, archaeological historical activities, astronomy lectures, and many more - MEMBERS PAY LESS than non-members.

We need your help and support to make this venture  successful.  Please help us protect and improve our habitat by becoming an active member.

You will need to fill out an application form which you can get from info@drumbladeconservancy.co.za