A 270-hectare portion of endangered renosterveld in South Africa’s Overberg region has been secured for permanent conservation. The land, part of a farm called Goereesoe between Bredasdorp and Swellendam, was purchased by the Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT) in partnership with the UK-based World Land Trust (WLT) and the Mapula Trust.
Goereesoe forms part of the critically endangered Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld – a vegetation type with a high number of endemic plant species and among the most threatened ecosystems globally.
Critical habitat for the Black Harrier
Goereesoe is also a vital stronghold for the endangered Black Harrier, a raptor with fewer than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild. The site supports up to 20 breeding pairs and holds the highest known nest density for the species.
“This is a significant win for renosterveld and the Black Harrier,” said Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, CEO of the ORT. “By securing this land, we’re protecting species whose futures are on a knife’s edge.”
Together with the nearby Haarwegskloof and Plaatjieskraal reserves, both managed by the ORT, the area supports around 30 pairs of Black Harriers—more than 6% of the global population.
Building a connected conservation corridor
This new acquisition expands what is now the largest connected stretch of renosterveld remaining on the planet. ORT’s conservation footprint has grown from 500 hectares in 2013 to over 1,300 hectares today, with plans to declare Goereesoe and Plaatjieskraal formal nature reserves.
In addition to land purchases, the ORT works with neighbouring farmers through conservation easements to link isolated patches of renosterveld. One such site is the adjacent Muurkraal Conservation Easement.
“It means wildlife—especially our pollinators and invertebrates—can move safely across the landscape,” said Curtis-Scott. “Our goal is to build ecological resilience in the face of ongoing land-use and climate change.”
International support for local impact
The purchase was made possible through WLT’s Buy an Acre programme, which enables people worldwide to contribute directly to the protection of threatened habitats.
“Protecting this site means safeguarding one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth,” said Dr Catherine Barnard, CEO of WLT. “It’s a powerful example of local expertise backed by international support.”
More than just land
Goereesoe also forms part of a scientific study tracking Black Harrier migrations and their interactions with windfarms—now recognised as a growing threat to the species.
Curtis-Scott emphasised that land purchase is just one tool among many. The ORT also promotes stewardship through voluntary conservation servitudes, encouraging landowners to become active custodians.
“Our work is about instilling pride in those who still have renosterveld on their farms,” she said. “They literally hold the future of this ecosystem in their hands.”
