A few days of citizen science contributing to a southern hemisphere biodiversity survey using the iNaturtalist app. our area falls into the Cape Winelands district. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2024-cape-winelands

Clearing of a 1,3 Ha stand of Silky Hakea, below MCSA's Agtertafelberg Hut, Elandspad River catchment, Hawequa Mountains. Largely organised by, and co-lead with, Jess Verhuel of MCSA. and 16 happy hackers.

A short hack to fell a few largish pines and test a battery powered chainsaw.

A fantasic group of volunteers organised by CWBR, and joined by 4Rivers, cleared approx 30Ha of invasive Pine and Hakea in the upper catchment of the Elandspad River

Du Toits Peak, 1,995 m, is the highest seaward facing peak in the Western Cape within direct sight of the ocean. Consequently the seed that rain from the pines along this range travel long distances to infect new, inaccessible slopes.

In order to proceed with clearing of IAV in a consistent manner the project area should be mapped following an accepted protocol, and data captured that covers size, density of invasion, species type and info on the topography -slope, access, etc.

The indigenous gummosis fungus, considered to be a safe myco-herbicide*, is one of the biological control agents used on hakea, it has spread since the 1960’s causing a serious disease of silky hakea; but does it kill off trees effectively?