Overberg Renosterveld Reserves

In South Africa’s Overberg region, lowland renosterveld is one of the world’s richest plant habitats, home to over 600 species within the Cape Floristic Region. Many threatened bird species also find refuge here, including the Endangered Black Harrier and Cape Vulture.

Despite its global conservation importance, renosterveld receives little official conservation protection, with over 95% lost to agriculture. Many of the remaining areas are small and isolated, with fewer than 60 renosterveld remnants over 100 hectares (247 acres) in size.

With WLT support, Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT) is working to protect what remains through land purchases, conservation easements with farmers, and conservation management. To date, ORT has safeguarded two large properties together totalling close to 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres). In addition, ORT leads biodiversity monitoring, education, and research – protecting nature while building a future for both wildlife and local communities.