Protect the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve

This page is raising money to implement physical protection of The Magalies Biosphere reserve, starting with the core zones and exposed vulnerable zones next to main roads by means of fencing. As part-owner of a small portion within a core zone, the illegal plunder of trees influences us directly and daily.

Hartbeespoort is situated within a UNESCO biosphere reserve – Magaliesberg. This is one of 10 registered in South Africa. Among other biodiversity, it is home to 443 bird species representing 46.6% of total bird species in the southern African sub-region. Read more: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/africa/south-africa/magaliesberg

Unfortunately it is poorly protected by authorities and is vulnerable due to no physical protection such as fencing. It has now become the target of illegal wood-cutters who go into these non-fenced zones with their chain-saws and cars and cut down beautiful indigenous trees in order to sell to you next to the road as “braai-wood”. Illegal refuse dumping is also taking place within these zones. Read more: https://kormorant.co.za/stop-the-magaliesberg-carnage/

Next time you visit Harties, please remember DO NOT BUY WOOD next to the road. Rather donate your R10 to this cause, and start up the gas-braai instead.

Our first fence will be 4km long around this small triangle bordering R511 and R513 within the core zone of the Magalies Biosphere, and will cost an estimated R200 000 to construct. With the next available funding we will fence off other portions of the core zone situated next to main roads and routes especially those bordering the R513 & R511.

For a map of the Magalies Biosphere Reserve and it’s zoning go to: http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/SC/images/Magaliesberg_map.pdf