Keeping It Wild: A Weekend in the Cederberg

The Cederberg is a place where nature's wild beauty meets the passionate efforts of conservationists and nature lovers.At the beginning of May, the "Keeping it Wild" event brought over 200 guests to the scenic Driehoek Tourist Farm to connect, share, and learn about the vital work being done to protect this unique wilderness.

A Cold and Wet Start

Saturday morning greeted us with cold and wet weather, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the 80 dedicated volunteers who gathered before sunrise. Their mission? To plant 1,000 Ceder saplings in the mountains, a goal set in collaboration with Sustainable Ceder. Armed with determination and a love for nature, these volunteers braved the elements to make a tangible impact on the Cederberg landscape.

Fun and Learning for the Kids

While the volunteers trekked into the mountains, the children and some parents stayed at the site for a day filled with fun and educational activities. The kids got their hands dirty with clay, learned about local fish species, marvelled at scorpions, and discovered the majestic Black Eagles that soar above the Cederberg. They even joined in on the conservation efforts by planting Ceder trees themselves. The enthusiasm and curiosity of these young conservationists were truly inspiring.

Exceeding Expectations

By the end of the day, not only had we met our ambitious goal, but we had surpassed it. A total of 1,040 Ceder saplings were planted, each one a symbol of hope and a step towards preserving the natural beauty of the Cederberg for future generations.

Celebrating Conservation Heroes

The weekend was made even more special by the presence of incredible conservationists who shared their knowledge and passion. The list of esteemed speakers included:

  • Patrick Hanekom (Pebbles Project)
  • Jeannie Hayward (Cape Leopard Trust)
  • Werner Marais (Animalia Consultants/Bats)
  • Dawie Burger (Sustainable Ceder)
  • Dr Cameron Penn-Clarke (Senior Researcher at the Evolutionary Studies Institute of Witwatersrand)
  • Cecilia Cerilla (Freshwater Research Centre and University of Cape Town)
  • Blake Dyason (Founder: Love Our Trails): Host
  • Prof Edmund February (Dept of Biological Science at the University of Cape Town)
  • Dr Megan Murgatroyd (Hawkwatch International)
  • Dr Elzaan Singels (Sourcing Director/Grounded Ingredients)
  • Keir Lynch (Bionerds / Ecologist, Landscape Conservationist)

These speakers captivated the audience with their insights and stories, highlighting the importance of conservation work in the Cederberg.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this weekend possible. From the volunteers who planted saplings to the speakers who enlightened us, your contributions were invaluable. Special thanks to Diamond Works, Mountain Club of South Africa, Driehoek Farm, Cederberg Wines, Cederberg Brewery, Driehoek Wines, Love Our Trails, Black Diamond South Africa, Culturelab Kombucha, and Cape Nature. Your generosity in terms of time, money, and products helped make this event a resounding success.

As we share more pictures and videos in the coming days, we hope to inspire even more people to join us in keeping the Cederberg wild and wonderful. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, and we look forward to seeing you at next year's event!

Together, we can keep it wild.

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Published: 31 May 2024