by KBergReserve

Walk Report

- Tim Attwell Oudebos, the relict patch of Afrotemperate forest in the ravine between Platberg and the back of Elephant Rock Mountain that gives its name to the offices of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, did not disappoint us. We went looking for a spot under the forest canopy, next to a bubbling mountain stream to have our tea or coffee and the goodies we had brought with us. After all, the whole purpose of mountain or, for that matter, fynbos walking is ‘to find a good spot to have tea.’ We allowed ourselves an hour…
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by KBergReserve

TALK REPORT  

South Africa at the 2017 RHS Chelsea Flower Show David Davidson 16 September 2017 By Andrea Benn Despite protest marches, road blockages, forecasts of inclement weather and a possibility that we may have to cancel the talk, David’s presentation attracted a good crowd. His stories about Chelsea 2017 were informative, his photos were inspiring, and the humour he brings into his Chelsea experiences had us laughing on several occasions. He has the ability to make the two-week long Chelsea experience come alive. During the pre show setting up week a tiny aperture in the stretched…
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by KBergReserve

BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 654

- Frik Potgieter,Convenor On a somewhat windy morning, Rooikrans were tackled on the public open space to the east of Agapanthus road. A large number were eradicated, but there are many more waiting for next month. The area around Business Circle was also cleared by a team of hackers. During this clearing exercise, Natalie was rather foully abused by one of the neighbouring residents. She did not like the noise of a chain saw on a Sunday morning! This has happened before, but from the report it seems like one of the worst. Luckily Natalie-…
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by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT N0 128

- Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor. In the beginning of September the Overstrand Municipality tried to clear the verges in Hangklip Road in Pringle Bay and in the process almost destroyed all possible Fynbos in that area. We finally managed to stop them and indicated that we, the Pringle Bay Hack Group will clear the area of alien vegetation. Today, 24 September, Heritage Day 2017, we invested in our heritage and clear several areas along Hangklip, Rita and Elizabeth Roads. We tackled mostly Australian Myrtle, a few Rooikrantz and Port Jacksons. We have now fulfilled our commitment!…
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by KBergReserve

Groenfontein: A Treat of Retreat!

- Rea Borcherd It has become a tradition in this Branch to make group expeditions to explore the flora of regions beyond our own.  In previous years successful group outings were made to  the Gifberg,  Agulhas and Haarwegskloof.   This year was the turn of the Klein Karoo, specifically the region around Calitzdorp. With so many interesting regions in our country to discover, one is spoilt for choice when selecting a destination, but as always practicality has to rule.  Travelling time, accommodation suitability and sufficiency, and availability of local botanical expertise are all factors affecting the…
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by KBergReserve

PART TWO: THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF A PROPERTY USER/OWNER FOR PLANTS ON HIS PROPERTY

            - Jan Joubert In part two,  of the legal responsibility of a property user/owner, we look in  more depth at other legal implications and protected plants. OTHER LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Under Common Law” (King v Dykes 1971(3) SA 540 (RA) at 545) you can be held liable if IAP’s from you property start invading that of a neighbour. With modern DNA technology it would be easy to prove the origin of such pests. In terms of the present property transaction laws the owner is liable for any latent defects which are…
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by KBergReserve

October Walk

Next Walk 21st October 2017 We’ll leave the fynbos and the forests for this one and explore the shore line from Betty’s Bay’s Silversands beach towards the Hangklip lighthouse. Once the haunt of runaways and strandlopers, this stretch of coastline displays Cape Seashore Vegetation, rock pools and secluded coves and has an air of remoteness and mystery. We don’t know how far we’ll get – but neither did the runaways and strandlopers. We do know we’ll be back in time to do some chores or weekend shopping. Meet at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden…
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by KBergReserve

FUTURE EVENTS

TALKS PLANNED FOR 2017: OCTOBER 2017 TALK The October talk will be by John S Compton and is entitled: Human Origins, How diet, climate and landscape shaped us.  John was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry/Earth Sciences from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) in 1981 and his PhD in Earth Sciences from Harvard University in 1986. He taught at the School of Marine Science, University of South Florida, for 10 years before moving to the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape…
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