by KBergReserve

How Kogelberg branch became proud owner of botanical art

It was mid 2015 when Priscilla Blake, an active member, said she would like to donate sixteen paintings by South African artist Ethel May Dixie to the branch. Priscilla, a physiotherapist from Johannesburg, had retired to Kleinmond when she was a regular at our walks and talks. When a move to Somerset West seemed sensible, Priscilla felt that her flower paintings, needing a new home, would be cherished by Kogelberg Branch. Of course, we were intrigued to know how Priscilla, living far from Ethel Dixie’s Cape home, had become the owner of her flower pictures.…
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by KBergReserve

The Wednesday Hack

Work continued on the slopes of the Klein Hangklip Mountains between Pringle Bay and Rooi Els. An area was cleared of Rooikrans in Serruria Circle in Betty’s Bay and we did the annual clean-up at Kapensis/Ed’s Valley. During the month 66 man-hack days were thrown at the enemy. This is becoming a really serious threat to the invaders! Hackers were: Tom Dreyer, Frik Potgieter, Jan Joubert, Bernard van Wulven,  Ulli Niemann, Selwyn Botha, Louw Toerien, Chris Geldenhuys, Jane Fearnhead, Mike Robinson, Willem Stiglingh, Chris Cadman, Nils Rottcher, Giel Maree, Barbara Silcock and Gaenor Lees-Rolfe.
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by KBergReserve

Betty’s Bay Hack Report No 665

The battle for Betty's Bay: Report on Hack no 665 Only a few brave souls ignored the threatening weather to fight the enemy, but their enthusiasm made up for the numbers! A large area was cleared of Rooikrans and Port Jacksons. There are more on the verges of both Disa Road and Disa Circle, so we will go back there next hack. The tea was made by Merran Silberbauer, and the sandwiches by Jane Fearnhead. Thank you ladies! Penguin Place again donated the bread, so thank you to them! The troops were: Tom Dreyer, Richard…
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by KBergReserve

Visiting the most threatened habitats on earth

“Hello my name is Robbie and I am a proteaholic. It’s not really helped by the fact that my boyfriend has P.O.C.D. (protea obsessive compulsive disorder) too. I can’t help it. I just can’t get enough of the proteaceae! It all started as a child, as these things often do...” - An excerpt from a blog post by Robbie Blackhall-Miles, a plantsman and conservationist in North Wales, and founder of FossilPlants, a conservation endeavour which he describes as “the home of our prehistoric garden in North Wales”. Most of the plants in the FossilPlants garden…
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