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. The Kogelberg Biosphere 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, designated by UNESCO, is South Africa’s oldest biosphere.
The Kogelberg Biosphere 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 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 so valuable?
There are many reasons to visit our area.
The Kogelberg Biosphere 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 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.
To achieve this, the Kogelberg Biosphere plays a central coordinating role: by working together across the biosphere, we can break down the silos in which we traditionally work, empower each other through knowledge and achieve our biosphere goals through collective action.
We work according to 5 project themes
Growing the economy
Protecting nature
Nature EducatiON
Securing water
NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS
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 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.
Become a Kogelberg Biosphere member
Sign up as a member, and you can access resources, networking opportunities, connections and capacity to help you and/or your business. As a member, you also enjoy the power of the collective voice to bring about positive change. MORE HERE
LATEST NEWS
Restoring our threatened fynbos through partnerships
Invasive alien clearing in the Kogelberg Biosphere is gaining momentum. Currently we have two teams working for the Kogelberg Biosphere, removing invasive plants off some of our Critically Endangered vegetation.
A snake in your garden? Here’s what to do
Finding a snake in your garden shouldn’t necessarily result in a state of fear. In fact, given that we live in a biosphere, there’s a good chance that you could meet some of our cold-blooded brethren from time to time.
Doesn’t this #FloralFriday feature just look so happy now that it’s #spring?
Commonly known as the Berggeelbos (you can see why), 𝘓𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘪 flowers until November. While not threatened, it is endemic to #SouthAfrica. And in fact, you’ll only find it from the Hottentots Holland and #Kogelberg mountains, stretching down to Bredasdorp and Elim.
What a stunning photo, taken by Fynbos on iNaturalist recently.
Biosphere Living
Become a Kogelberg Biosphere member – and enjoy benefits specially designed to assist you and/or your business.
You can take the next step, to become even more involved in the Kogelberg Biosphere.
And remember to include us in your social media posts, by using the hashtag: #BiosphereLiving.