One of the most awe-inspiring things about the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) is how much more there is to it than meets the eye. What could easily appear to be a monotonous carpet of dull scrubland is really just the opposite: an abundant plant paradise,
The humble tortoise. A peculiar, prehistoric creature with ancient origins dating back 260 million years. Originally a ‘fat lizard’, whose ribs broadened out and eventually united to form a complete shell, the tortoise we know today uses its suit of armour as a potent form
While its name doesn’t instantly conjure idyllic images of a pristine nature-lover’s haven; if you visit Silvermine, that’s exactly what you’ll find. In 1675, prospectors believed that the mountains in the area contained silver, but when shafts were sunk to locate it, there was in fact
The Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) runs a programme called our Coastal Impact Programme, through which, with funding from the Table Mountain Fund and other sources, they have been able to assess the impact that we as people have on coastal biodiversity, and to seek novel
Headlamps beaming, we started up the trail towards Devil’s Peak; not in pursuit of a porcupine, but of an early morning cup of coffee and a rusk with a view. As we graduated from the steep zigzags onto the contour path (a welcome relief for
When true community involvement - linked to conservation, empowerment and participation - proves to be so successful, it deserves to be celebrated. In 2012, the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) put in a bid to coordinate a small grants facility through support from the Table Mountain
1. INTRODUCTION The Table Mountain Fund (TMF) was established in 1998 with funds from local and international sources. TMF is a significant partner of C.A.P.E. (Cape Action for People and the Environment), the multi-stakeholder conservation partnership that drives fynbos conservation efforts. Furthermore, the fund aims to
This year, Earth Hour is not only about switching off our lights; it’s about interrogating how our electricity is produced. The lion’s share of South Africa’s electricity is generated by coal-fired power stations. The mining of coal can be hugely destructive, and the burning of these
If you’ve been to Hermanus and found yourself spellbound by its magnificent backdrop (as many people do), you’ve probably wondered how you could get closer to those mountains. The good news is that you can lose yourself in them. As one of the most spectacular, yet
One tends to imagine carnivorous plants growing in the shadowy depths of the Amazon rainforest or other exotic places across the planet. Who would have thought that we have our very own plant predators right here on Table Mountain? Drosera plants, commonly known as ‘sundews’, make