A short trip to the south of Cape Town in South Africa, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature that is globally so valuable, that it has been declared a biosphere reserve. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve aims to protect this vast natural wonder.
"We do this in a way that brings people closer to our planet, so that people of the Kogelberg thrive, while living in harmony with our rich biodiversity."
HECTARES
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO, is South Africa’s oldest biosphere reserve.
The reserve starts on the mountains above Gordon’s Bay, and includes land, sea and towns along the coast to just above Hermanus. It stretches inland past the town of Botriver and encompasses the growing economic hub of Grabouw. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve covers around 100 000 hectares – an area larger than Singapore. MORE
The heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom
PLANT SPECIES
ENDEMIC PLANT SPECIES
MARINE SPECIES
What makes the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve so valuable?
There are many reasons to visit our area.
This biosphere reserve is considered to be the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of just six plant kingdoms in the world.
It has the richest, most complex biodiversity on earth, home to more than 1 880 plant species. Of these, 77 are found just here, and nowhere else. The seascapes here are also significant: more than 3 500 marine species occur only here. MORE
What do we do?
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve finds local solutions to global problems – by bringing our members together. Across the world, humankind has been using natural resources unsustainably, to our own detriment. The result is a loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage, risks to water and food security, increased poverty and a changing climate.
In the Kogelberg we seek to address this, reconciling conservation with sustainable development – to benefit all. Through our own activities and the actions of our members, we build towards sustainable and just economies here, while allowing nature to provide the services she offers us sustainably.
We work according to 6 project themes
Growing the economy
Protecting nature
Nature EducatiON
Securing water
Managing resources
HELPING NATURE DURING TIMES OF CRISIS
Over the past number of years, we’ve experienced the most devastating wildfires here. The impacts on people and livelihoods have been devastating. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve therefore wants to take action to help now – before the next disaster strikes. And we need YOUR support. We’re bringing together a team of volunteers, and we’re getting the necessary equipment in place now, so that we’re prepared.
LATEST NEWS
Rivers of the Kogelberg: How you can help protect them
You’ll find rivers and wetlands criss-crossing the entire Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. From the larger rivers, to the tiny streams that dry up
Conserving water through invasive plant clearing: A Kogelberg project
According to Corlie Hugo, Coordinator of the KBR, invasive alien plants are a major threat in the area. “After the drought, the Western …
This #Spring, we’re joining the call to NOT MOW our parks and wild spaces, to let our wildflowers flourish. And we’re thrilled that the Overstrand Municipality is doing the same. Take a look at some of the specials you could find by simply strolling along the sidewalks of some towns in our Biosphere Reserve. An example is the Gnidia penicillata, a Near Threatened species that grows on fairly wet and untouched plots. And the pretty Baeometra uniflora, a common sighting in our coastal towns.
Then why not log your Spring finds on our Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve project on iNaturalist? You might even discover an unknown population of a threatened species… You’ll find our project here.
Images: Magriet Brink, Kleinmond Fynbos
Biosphere Living
If you live in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve region, you’re already enjoying Biosphere Life. That means you can already enjoy all that Mother Nature offers you here, in this incredibly special part of the world. MORE
You can take the next step, to become even more involved in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.
And remember to include us in your social media posts, by using the hashtag: #BiosphereLiving.