Completed These projects have been completed. In Progress These projects are currently being completed, or are ongoing/ recurring. Funding Required These projects require donations or other assistance to be completed. Should you, or any of your contacts, be in a position to donate funds, resources or other expertise to help complete these projects, please contact us. Initial Alien Vegetation Clearing Our first project, before even envisaging the fynbos discoveries we would make, was to conduct an initial clearing of alien vegetation. The farm was simply covered with Port Jacksons, Bluegum, Pine, Australian Myrtle, Rooikrans and Black Wattle, to the extent that we had to tie strings to paths we'd bashed out using machetes to avoid getting lost in the sea of alien vegetation! We'd hire chainsaws when we had some money to spare, and weekends were spent hacking and sawing and burning huge brush piles.   Construction of Roads and Pathways We made contact with one of the neighbouring farmers who we contracted to bulldoze firebreaks around the perimeter of the farm. Whilst walking along these initial clearings, we realised that there were overgrown pathways from decades past that we could re-open. So we contracted him for a few more weeks to painstakingly clear these paths, as we had by now noticed that we had some straggly fynbos that had been starved of light and proper soil conditions for more than 30 years. However we had a feeling that these fynbos species were special, as they were not species that we'd encountered commonly in the Western Cape before.     Construction of building infrastructure After camping in the derelict existing buildings for a few months, and having opened up the property by clearing the alien vegetation around these original structures, we could begin building the stables and other equestrian infrastructure, and convert an old tractor shed into our first farm cottage! We simultaneously embarked on a bold landscaping project using purely indigenous plants - not having any secure water source! Our latest renovation was to convert an old foaling stable into Rosh's sculpture studio. We still have other construction plans such as a visitor/educational/multi-use centre we'd love to realise - see project proposal below.       Removal of Mature Pine and Bluegum trees We were unable to fell the huge, mature Pine and Bluegum trees by ourselves. We had to call in professional help! We removed up to 2000 mature trees, a project spanning 3 years!     Conservation Signage   After encountering trespassing, illegal 4x4 activities on sensitive veld and theft of wildflowers and bulbs, we requested help from Jacques Kuyler of Blouberg Nature Reserve to procure appropriate signage to discourage such illegal activities. These were installed at the points of illegal entry.     Ecological Burn Block A Being the first Stewardship site in the City of Cape Town, it was our role to act as the test case in facilitating co-operation between various municipal departments to ensure a successful ecological burn of "Burn Block A". These included the Fire Department, the Biodiversity Management Department, various "Friends" groups associated with City of Cape Town nature reserves and other departments involved in issuing permits to burn. This block represented the most senescent vegetation that had not experienced a burn in more than 20-30 years. The normal burn cycle is 8-10 years and is necessary for recycling of nutrients into the soil and to burn off moribund growth. Fynbos seeds also require a burn to activate germination.         Ecological Burn Block B Exactly a year after our first burn, we were ready to burn "Block B". By this time we had lived through 5 summer fire seasons, with many close shaves with runaway fires on adjoining properties, and realised that by burning Block B, we would also ensure that fire risk on the reserve would be significantly reduced. Block B is adjacent to Block A and also showed all the signs of senescense. It is our final aim to end up with a checkerboard of vegetation blocks at various stages of growth.         Re-planting of Indigenous Trees   To replace the numerous mature alien trees that we removed, we embarked on a drive to plant indigenous trees. This is an ongoing project. Friends and visitors are encouraged to donate a tree or few. These are planted and named after the donator - a permanent reminder of their visit! We have planted in excess of 1000 trees to date in designated areas. We welcome contributions of indigenous trees, plants, cuttings and seed!     Ongoing Alien Vegetation Management   The seedbank of alien vegetation that infest the Western Cape can lie dormant for up to 100 years. These species affect water security and represent a major fire and biodiversity risk. This means that we have to constantly keep on top of resprouts. This involves a combination of hand-pulling, hacking and foliar spraying. We welcome volunteers to assist us in ongoing fynbos rehabilitation. Help save the precious fynbos by signing up for our Volunteer Programme!   We have made an exceptional achievement to date, by all standards. Here is a visual timeline illustrating the drastic reduction of the alien vegetation footprint:   Borehole   Should you be in a position to assist us in realising this essential project to ensure water security on the reserve, please contact us! Water security will enable us to establish a nursery to propagate the numerous exceptionally rare species on the reserve, and to create a wetland fynbos environment, incorporating a dam.     Construction of Dam   To help us visualise this big dream, we have already excavated the dam. Still required to do is the dam lining. A dam will enable us to create a wetland environment and to increase the number of activities available on the farm, something necessary for the long-term sustainability of the reserve. The West Coast is a water-stressed area, and meteorological studies show a drier climate in years to come.     Construction of Visitor/ Education Centre We have signed a title deeds restriction on the reserve that declares the property exclusively a conservation site in perpetuity. As one of the last remaining pieces of Atlantis Sanveld Fynbos in the world, it is necessary to establish a visitor and education centre to contribute to long-term sustainability. This would involve the design and construction of the centre. Should you be in a position to assist, please contact us.     Construction of Sports field   As keen sportsmen, especially in the field of equestrianism, surfacing the arena properly will open up a world of opportunity in terms of hosting events and activities.     Amphitheatre Project   The town of Atlantis and surrounding areas do not have any significant cultural infrastructure. Theatre is a proven tool used to inspire, educate and transform societies. Nirvana Fynbos Reserve is the ideal location to host an open-air amphitheatre.