Kids Holiday Program
The Kids Holiday Program started as a small environmental education (EE) project aimed at providing the children from Darling and surrounds with environmentally based activities during school holidays. The objective of the project is, not only to provide the children with safe and fun outdoor activities during holidays but also add value to the children by expanding their knowledge of the area and its botanical wealth as well as developing their skills and nurturing a sense of ownership.
During 2018 and 2019 children from Darling, aged 8 to 13, took part in a variety of environmental education activities including a visit to Kirstenbosch Gardens, Darling Renosterveld Reserve and the Mamre Community Area. After a year of dormancy the project was re-launched on Youth Day 2021 with a group of 10 children from the Darling Outreach Foundation visiting the West Coast Fossil Park. This was a first for the children who visited the fossil dig-site and museum before enjoying a packed lunch on the grounds.
At present the project is funded solely by the Darling Wildflower Society and is facilitated by the Society’s Youth Coordinator Angelique Rosant and committee member Nicole Loebenberg with support from Edward Adonis of CapeNature.
To become involved or make a donation towards the Kids Holiday Program please contact us at darlingwildflowers@gmail.com for more information.
Municipal Wildflower Reserve Management
The Darling Wildflower Society was directly involved in the establishment of the two municipal wildflower reserves and continue to assist the Swartland Municipality with the management and maintenance of the two reserves.
In previous years the Society has facilitated or taken part in the preparation and maintenance of firebreaks, clearing of alien invasive vegetation, maintaining the boundary fences and periodic burns. During April 2021 maintenance was done to the existing firebreaks in the Renosterveld Reserve. Not only will this prevent fires from spreading to or from the reserve but also provide other species with nutrients. water and space to grow.
Notice of planned burns and alien clearing activites will be posted on our website and social media. Interested members of the public will be invited to assist with a wildlife Search & Rescue prior to the activity.
The Swartland Municipality is in the process of developing a Protected & Conservation Areas Management Plan for the existing as well as proposed conservation areas within its boundaries. The identified areas include the Darling Groenkloof and Renosterveld Reserves, Klipkoppie and Driehoekpad Conservation Areas in Malmesbury and 26 public open spaces in Yzerfontein. The DWFS has registered as an Interested and Affected Party and our environmental liaison continues to make inputs regarding the management of the reserves.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Habitat loss is the single greatest threat to biodiversity on earth today and in fact it is the second largest threat to our existence on this planet next to Climate Change. Development and mining is essential for our economic growth however it is also the biggest threat to the regions biodiversity and botanical beauty. Our environmental liaison is responsible for making valuable inputs with regards to biodiversity and habitat conservation and management during the Public Participation Process for Environmental Impact Assessments and mining applications. These inputs play a vital role in the decision making process.
Notice of ongoing development and mining applications in the area can be sent to darlingwildflowers@gmail.com
Darling Herbarium and Flora Project
The Darling Wildflower Society Herbarium was founded around 2000 and serves as a record of the species occurring in region. Thanks to the meticulous work of the Darling Wildflower Society and Flora Project later the the Darling Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (C.R.E.W) more than 2000 species have been collected, identified, pressed, mounted and stored in the herbarium cupboards. The herbarium is currently housed at our temporary office across the Renosterveld Reserve. The Society has recently purchased a plot of land in Darling for the development of a conservation center which will also house the herbarium.
