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We believe in sustainability
What we do
Enhancing the wellbeing of all who live here is an
imperative for the SMA. More
Our tourism venture will include training for
operators and entrepreneurs. More
Production and food security is enhanced through
sustainable use of land. More
Sustainably-utilised products will prove a key
economic driver for communities here. More
economic driver for communities here. More
By developing the SMA's infrastructure, we can
unlock the area's sustainable capital. More
unlock the area's sustainable capital. More
The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA) is an area in which 25 private
landowners and local communities work together to collectively manage our land for
conservation.
Through this unique conservation model, some 46,000 hectares of often critically endangered habitat is now protected on the Agulhas Plain - at the southernmost region of Africa. The primary goal of the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA) is to protect - and use - the land included in the Special Management Area sustainably, according to triple bottom line principles. We aim to find the balance between environmental integrity, human wellbeing and economic efficiency within the area.
While biodiversity and wetland conservation is promoted, so too are sustainable farming practices. As such, farming and conservation work hand in hand. Endangered plants and animals are protected. At the same time, food security from farmland in the Nuwejaars Wetland Ecosystem is not threatened.
This collaboration between landowners and local communities is the first of its kind in South Africa. It required significant commitments from all landowners and communities involved. All had to agree to title deed restrictions to ensure sustainable conservation principles would be maintained. Already the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has expressed its interest in the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA), as a working example of its Man and the Biosphere programme.
Through this unique conservation model, some 46,000 hectares of often critically endangered habitat is now protected on the Agulhas Plain - at the southernmost region of Africa. The primary goal of the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA) is to protect - and use - the land included in the Special Management Area sustainably, according to triple bottom line principles. We aim to find the balance between environmental integrity, human wellbeing and economic efficiency within the area.
While biodiversity and wetland conservation is promoted, so too are sustainable farming practices. As such, farming and conservation work hand in hand. Endangered plants and animals are protected. At the same time, food security from farmland in the Nuwejaars Wetland Ecosystem is not threatened.
This collaboration between landowners and local communities is the first of its kind in South Africa. It required significant commitments from all landowners and communities involved. All had to agree to title deed restrictions to ensure sustainable conservation principles would be maintained. Already the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has expressed its interest in the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA), as a working example of its Man and the Biosphere programme.
Watch our video: Birds in the Wetlands
20 March: World Water Day
22 April: Earth Day
16 May: Southern Tip Day
18 May: International Museum Day
22 May: Biodiversity Day
3 – 7 June: World Environment Week
05 June: World Environment Day
08 June: World Oceans Day
17 June: Combat Desertification
& Drought Day
1 – 7 September: National Arbor Week
21 September: Coastal Clean-up Day
22 September: World Rhine Day
24 September: Heritage Day
27 September: World Tourism Day
07 October: World Habitat Day
7 – 11 October: Marine Week
12 October: African Penguin Day
23 November Birding Big Day
22 April: Earth Day
16 May: Southern Tip Day
18 May: International Museum Day
22 May: Biodiversity Day
3 – 7 June: World Environment Week
05 June: World Environment Day
08 June: World Oceans Day
17 June: Combat Desertification
& Drought Day
1 – 7 September: National Arbor Week
21 September: Coastal Clean-up Day
22 September: World Rhine Day
24 September: Heritage Day
27 September: World Tourism Day
07 October: World Habitat Day
7 – 11 October: Marine Week
12 October: African Penguin Day
23 November Birding Big Day
- Restore wetlands and other often-threatened
habitat through rehabilitation and alien-clearing;
- Promote the wellbeing of all who live within the broader area;
- Promote the sustainable use of biodiversity products to benefit all;
- Promote diverse uses of the wetlands, natural habitats and intensive agricultural activities;
- Promote sustainability in all forms of agriculture;
- Manage the land and manage fire;
- Address climate change;
- And encourage tourists to visit the Agulhas Plain's unique sites.
- Promote the wellbeing of all who live within the broader area;
- Promote the sustainable use of biodiversity products to benefit all;
- Promote diverse uses of the wetlands, natural habitats and intensive agricultural activities;
- Promote sustainability in all forms of agriculture;
- Manage the land and manage fire;
- Address climate change;
- And encourage tourists to visit the Agulhas Plain's unique sites.
The SMA's objectives
Upcoming Events
Copyright © 2011 - 2013 www.Nuwejaars.com
The SMA will form part of a study by the University of Durham in the UK on solar energy. The study aims
to assess what kind of contribution solar PV technologies can make to provide power to poorer rural
communities. Dr. David Bek recently visited the SMA to see the solar power technology installed at the
wine cellars that form part of the Elim Wine Route. The value of the electricity produced is used to fund
conservation work.The study aims to map the current drivers of renewable PV technologies in SA,
quantify their effectiveness and find the barriers in rural electricification. More.
Solar study in the SMA
The Nuwejaars Wetland
Special Management Area
is home to numerous rare
and exquisite birds. Fish
eagles are commonly found
here, and Marshall eagles
are also seen passing
overhead. Marsh Harriers
are generally found in the
wetland areas within the
SMA. And then there are
the smaller species - more
easily caught on camera:
the wagtail, the Cape
Spurfowl, and of course,
the ostrich. More.
A Memorandum of Cooperation on fire management has been negotiated between the SMA and the
Overberg District Municipality. The deal was signed on Wednesday 23 January at the Black Oystercatcher
Restaurant. The signing was attended by Reinard Geldenhuys, the ODM's fire chief, Marthinus du
Plessis, Municipal Manager at the ODM, and by the SMA executive committee.
The agreement is based on the ODM providing the SMA free services, in exchange for the use of our fire vehicles.This will see the two organisations work together to implement an integrated fire management strategy within the SMA, but also across the Overberg where possible. This means working together to establish a Fire Protection Association and implement a fire management plan, which will see fire breaks along key risk areas in the SMA.
The fire management strategy has been highlighted as vital to reduce fire risks across the Overberg - with off peak fire work helping to reduce the risks during the high peak fire season. The ODM will also help to plan for disaster management and will be available to assist in the event of a disaster associated with wild fire or floods.
The agreement is based on the ODM providing the SMA free services, in exchange for the use of our fire vehicles.This will see the two organisations work together to implement an integrated fire management strategy within the SMA, but also across the Overberg where possible. This means working together to establish a Fire Protection Association and implement a fire management plan, which will see fire breaks along key risk areas in the SMA.
The fire management strategy has been highlighted as vital to reduce fire risks across the Overberg - with off peak fire work helping to reduce the risks during the high peak fire season. The ODM will also help to plan for disaster management and will be available to assist in the event of a disaster associated with wild fire or floods.
SMA and the ODM finalise fire cooperation
SMA deel van indringerplante plan
Die SMA sal dien op die Agulhas Biodiversiteits Inisiatief (ABI) Implementasie Kommittee om
indringerplante op die Agulhas Plein te verwyder, en staan dus in lyn om befondsing te ontvang vir
indringerplante bestryding. ABI het befondsing van R18-miljoen ontvang van die Departement
Omgewingsake, deur hulle 'Land User Incentive Scheme', vir die volgende drie jaar. ABI sal werk met landeienaargroepe, soos die SMA, om indringers strategies uit te roei.
indringerplante bestryding. ABI het befondsing van R18-miljoen ontvang van die Departement
Omgewingsake, deur hulle 'Land User Incentive Scheme', vir die volgende drie jaar. ABI sal werk met landeienaargroepe, soos die SMA, om indringers strategies uit te roei.