WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN ?
In environmental terms, sustainability implies that an action can be continued indefinitely with little, or manageable, impact on the environment. Because the health of the environment is closely linked with the health of society in general, sustainable practices ensure that the Earth's resources will be available for future generations to enjoy, and that there will be an Earth to enjoy them on.
Sustainability aims to balance the needs of human societies with the needs of the environment, preserving both for all creatures on Earth to make use of and enjoy. Sustainability promotes biodiversity, the preservation of unique ecosystems, the health of the environment, and a high quality of life.

Alien Vegetation and Fire management in our Estate is crucial to achieve the above which is embedded in the Boskloof’s Consitution and the EMP (Environmental Management Plan). 

WHAT DOES BOSKLOOF’S EMP (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN) SAY ?
We live in a unique part of the world which is known as the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is the smallest of the six Floral Kingdoms in the world, and is the only one contained in its entirety within a single country. It is characterized by its high richness in plant species (8 700 species) and its high endemicity (68% of plant species are confined to the Cape Floral Kingdom). The Cape Floral Kingdom thus compares with some of the richest floras worldwide, surpassing many tropical forest regions in its floral diversity.
As per our constitution, the developer was required by the Municipality on approval of the development to establish a Fund as a guarantee to comply to the Environmental Management Plan.  The constitution also spells out:
5.b.i. compliance with EMP
5.b.ii eradication of alien vegetation and the rehabilitation of indigenous vegetation

WHAT ALIEN VEGETATION DO WE NEED TO MANAGE ?
A national assessment has been made of every vegetation type in SA, classifying it as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or least threatened, according to how much remains compared to its original extent. In the Western Cape alone, there are 15 vegetation types that are already critically endangered (e.g. Swartland Shale Renosterveld).  The Renosterveld found in the area is the most threatened type vegetation type within the Cape Floral Region,  with less than 2% formally conserved and less than 3% of the original extent of this habitat now remaining. This is a critically endangered veld type, with numerous species of conservation concern occurring only within this area, and nowhere else on earth!.
Invasive alien species have a significant negative impact on the environment by causing direct habitat destruction, increasing the risk and intensity of wildfires, and reducing surface and sub surface water. Landowners are under legal obligation to control alien plants occurring on their properties.  Climate change, sprawl, and alien-species invasion are threatening South Africa's fynbos, the main vegetation type of the smallest, yet richest, of the world's six floral kingdoms.
Table 3 of CARA (the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act) lists all declared weeds and invader plants. Alien plants are divided into 3 categories based on their risk as an invader.

• Category 1  - These plants must be removed and controlled by all land users. They may no longer be planted or propagated and all trade in these species is prohibited (e.g. rooikrans, hakea)
• Category 2 – These plants pose a threat to the environment but nevertheless have commercial value. These species are only allowed to occur in demarcated areas and a landuser must obtain a water use licence as these plants consume large quantities of water (e.g. black wattle, grey poplar, pine).
• Category 3 – These plants have the potential of becoming invasive but are considered to have ornamental value. Existing plants do not have to be removed but no new plantings may occur and the plants may not be sold (e.g. jacaranda, syringa, sword fern).

Useful alien clearing contacts http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Alien/Alien.html
We have 24 plant species, which are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, which is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species..
Endangered animals are listed with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).  The Yellow Billed Kite nesting in the Pine trees is classified as CITES III – Not endangered !

WHAT IS BOSKLOOF’S PLAN FOR ALIEN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ?

Plan for 2011

It is vitally important to maintain a mosaic of different vegetation ages within a property - no matter how large or small the area being managed. This allows the precautionary principle to be followed, which suggests that a variety of burn practices and veld ages is the best way to maintain species diversity. It also allows re-colonisation of burnt patches by mobile species from unburnt patches. If an entire natural area is burnt, it is likely that some species will be eliminated completely. RED – Burning PURPLE – Alien Clearing GREEN – Follow Up

Generally, all natural vegetation that has been invaded by alien invasive plants (especially pine trees) will recover well after alien clearing (using correct methods). Pine plantations less than 50 years old, appear to have little impact on the indigenous seed bank but areas that have been covered by gum plantations recover less easily due to an alteration of soil properties.
Fynbos is a fire-dependent system therefore complete restoration will only occur after the next fire, provided the seed-bank and top-soil have remained intact.

WHAT A LANDOWNER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT FIRE MANAGEMENT
Periodic natural fires have always occurred in fynbos and renosterveld ecosystems. Many plants actually need fires to reproduce and ensure their long-term survival. The challenge today is to use fire in a fragmented and highly modified modern landscape to ensure the survival of all plant and animal species. Although fynbos is a fire-adapted system, just one or two inappropriate fires at the wrong time of year, or no fire at all, can cause the local extinction of many species. However, local differences in habitat, geology and climate preclude a ‘recipe’ approach.  The most important use of fire for conservation management is to maintain viable populations of all plant and animal species present. Other objectives may include: reduction of fuel load to prevent unmanageable wildfires; control of invasive alien plants; promotion of desirable plants for the flower-picking industry; or safeguarding property and infrastructure.

Lets all work towards promoting biodiversity, preserving this unique ecosystems (Renosterveld) so that our children and next generations can also smell the Fynbos and a unique Floral Kingdom.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
— Mahatma Gandhi
"A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy."
— John Sawhill, former president/CEO of The Nature Conservancy