BUSHMANS KLOOF SUPPORTS THE 
CLANWILLIAM CEDAR TREE PROJECT
FEBRUARY 2002

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve together with the Botanical Society and Western Cape Nature Conservation have given their commitment to support the Clanwilliam Cedar Tree Conservation Project. (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis)

Cedar Tree Widdringtonia Cedarbergenis

An official tree and seed planting ceremony will be held at Bushmans Kloof where guests may join a group of botanists and participate in a project which aims to re-instate this highly endangered tree in its natural habitat, and specifically around Bushmans Kloof.

The planting ceremony will take place between 19 and 21 May 2002 , and a special 3 day/2night package is available at the unbeatable rate of R1400 per person sharing. 

The package includes luxury accommodation, all meals, evening game drives and early morning guided rock art excursions and participation in the planting ceremonies.

Says Mark McAdam, the owner of Bushmans Kloof: “We are delighted to play a role in this conservation drive to help re-introduce the cedar tree into the Cederberg, its natural habitat. We are fortunate that we still have a couple of cedars growing in the wild at Bushmans Kloof, but they are located in almost inaccessible places. We are therefore looking forward to not only planting some young trees in areas where our guests may have easier access to view the tree, but also in assisting the Botanical Society and Western Cape Nature Conservation in growing saplings from seed in our nursery. “

Highlights of the 3 day/2night programme will consist of a slide show and presentation by Penny Mustart of the Botanical Society; symbolic tree planting ceremony; planting of trees in the reserve (each couple will receive their own tree to plant), as well as sowing of seeds for germination in the nursery. Guests will also enjoy the standard lodge activities, including guided rock art walks and evening game drives.

MORE ABOUT THE CEDAR TREE

The endemic Clanwilliam cedar tree (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) occurs only in the Cederberg mountains and it represents one of 1 000 surviving conifer species in the world. The species is categorised as endangered on the Red Data List as it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild, in the near future, unless conservation action is taken.

Originally, most West Coast furniture was manufactured from its light, honey-coloured and aromatic wood which occurred naturally at high altitudes in the Cederberg mountains. The species has however become extremely rare due to indiscriminate use of the wood for telegraph and fencing poles, since it does not rot easily and the smell repels insects, which ensures that it is rarely infested with borer beetles.

Western Cape Nature Conservation (WCNC) has reared cedar seedlings in a nursery since 1987, for planting out into their natural habitat in the mountains. Survival of these seedlings has been extremely high, but about two years ago the aging nursery was dismantled due to lack of finances, in effect bringing the restoration project to a halt.

Through the efforts of the Botanical Society’s Cederberg Conservation Group, funding for a new nursery was obtained from an international conservation body, Fauna Flora International ( Cambridge , UK ). A new nursery is currently being built at a new location on the Pakhuis Pass outside Clanwilliam, where several WCNC staff are permanently based for future supervision. The project will identify eco-tourism opportunities and local communities such as Bushmans Kloof are closely involved in promoting the conservation of the species and the planting of young trees in the reserve.

For more information about the Clanwilliam Cedar Conservation Project, contact Penny Mustart of the Botanical Society at TEL/FAX: (021) 689 2978,  or email mustart@jaywalk.com.

MORE ABOUT BUSHMANS KLOOF

Bushmans Kloof is located at the foothills of the Cederberg, 270km from Cape Town . It is known as “the world’s largest open-air art gallery” with more than 130 rock art sites dating back some 10 000 years. It is perfectly suitable for walking and mountain biking, and also home to more than 150 bird species, 755 plant species and more than 35 species of mammals which have been identified in the reserve – including a large herd of the rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra. Member of Relais & Châteaux.

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