The Road to the Florilegium
These ancient Milkwoods have long fascinated the minds of researchers and have helped plant the seed of research in the broader Cape Floral Kingdom landscape. The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the most diverse of the Earth’s six Floral Kingdoms and is home to nearly 10 000 unique plant species of which over 1 000 species can be found on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
In 1991, Michael Lutzeyer purchased the Grootbos farm (outlined on the map below). This purchase would set in motion a landscape wide domino effect in favour of conservation. Like-minded landowners committed to joining the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy in order to protect the biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom and later, led to the creation of the Walker Bay Protected Environment.
How can we conserve that which we do not understand? The Conservation Research unit is tasked with uncovering the ecology of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Through botanical, entomological and ecological research the Conservation Research unit has built an extensive database of the plants, insects and animals found at Grootbos and in the Walker Bay region.
Grootbos Foundation Conservation Research has a legacy of 27 years of scientific research on and surrounding Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. The team of botanists and scientists have collected a database of approximately 1 028 plant species on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and pinned and processed over 60 000 insect specimens, comprising 209 insect morphospecies including 109 bee species. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve can boast that approximately 10% of all fynbos species are found on the reserve, a true testament to the diversity of this landscape.
Michael Lutzeyer and the Lutzeyer family alongside Sean Privett established Grootbos Foundation with the understanding that true conservation can only be achieved with the commitment of all members of society. The accredited courses like Indigenous Horticulture mean that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can find meaningful work in the Cape Floral Kingdom which in turn protects the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Fynbos has an important heritage in this region. The inhabitants of the Cape have used fynbos for medicinal and nutritional purposes for generations. This landscape is capable of sustaining the health and livelihoods of the communities who live here. While the reliance on the fynbos for food and medicine may have decreased, work opportunities within eco-tourism, sustainable flower picking and invasive species clearing continue to support local communities.
Sport has the power to change the world, and for Grootbos Foundation, youth development through sport supports our mission to uplift whole communities starting with children. Grootbos Foundation Sports coaches play a vital role in the community as mentors and role models. Sports offered include Hockey, Soccer, Netball, Athletics, Cross-country, Women’s Rugby, canoeing and surfing.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a member of The Long Run, a membership community of nature-based tourism businesses committed to driving holistic sustainability. Grootbos Foundation and Grootbos Lodge work together to protect this landscape and to ensure that the commercial aspects of the tourism business support the communities who are directly affected by this landscape.
Membership to The Long Run is based on the commitment of the tourism entity to the 4Cs framework: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. The 4Cs is a framework that integrates sustainable and regenerative practices into any travel business. Designed by practitioners and experts, both proven and flexible, it makes strategic and holistic sustainability more accessible, breaking it down into four chunks:
Grootbos Foundation’s Enterprise Development programme works with youth between the ages of 14 and 35 to deliver career planning sessions to school-aged youth, employability sessions to unemployed school leavers, and mentorship for entrepreneurs with township businesses. This programme offers empowerment for entrepreneurs who may see profits and commercial success for the first time since opening their small businesses.
Our keystone conservation and community programme is the Biodiversity Stewardship programme which combines elements of skills training, business mentorship and conservation education. Women are given training in invasive species identification, indigenous species identification, fire management, first aid, brushcutter and chainsaw operation along with training in business management. This complete training gives women the skills to work in the fynbos landscape and to manage teams as independent contractors. This empowers local women to find and keep employment in sustainable regions.
With computer and internet access and dedicated afterschool assistants at the Hub Classroom, students can safely complete their school work in the afternoons and receive a meal each afternoon. At each of our youth community projects we provide a meal or healthy snack. This ensures that all of the students receive at least one meal a day.
Masakhane is the vibrant township situated on the outskirts of Gansbaai. While our beneficiaries come from many communities, the majority of our beneficiaries come from Masakhane. The Hub Classroom is situated in Masakhane and is an afternoon homework space for school learners. The classroom is open in the afternoons and during school holidays for children to complete their school work, work on the computers or read. Grade 1 to Grade 12 learners make use of the classroom. Our classroom assistants help the students with their homework, manage the classroom and assist with the computers. Wifi, computers and a printer mean that learners are able to conduct research for school projects, write CVs for job applications, apply for universities and colleges, and practice their computer skills, an important skill for our modern age. Learners who make use of the classroom or take part in our Sports Development programme are given a nutritious meal or snack everyday. Bright young minds need healthy nourishment to run, play and learn.
The Hannarie Wenhold Gallery is the only Botanical Art Gallery in the Southern Hemisphere. The Grootbos Florilegium is a collection of botanical artworks showcasing plants which are indigenous to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Uniquely, the artworks also include vignettes which show the pollinators and associated animals of each indigenous plant species.
Florilegium definition: The word Florilegium comes from the Latin word for flower, flos, and the Latin word legere which means to gather, and so the word quite literally means a gathering of flowers, such as a bouquet. A Florilegium refers to a collection of botanically accurate paintings of plants, done by botanical illustrators from life.
All profits from the Gallery go towards the community and conservation projects run by Grootbos Foundation. Thank you for visiting the gallery!
