Newsletters
Please find the Archive of newsletter from the KZN Crane Foundation below.
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2025
Highlights of 2025
As we reach the close of another meaningful year, we’re delighted to share the highlights that have shaped our journey. From education and conservation to community engagement and growth, 2025 has been a year strengthened by collaboration, passion and purpose.
The KZNCF AGM
There is something special about our Annual General Meeting each year — it’s a reminder of how much passion, time, and teamwork it takes to keep the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation thriving. Our committee members and dedicated supporters are the heartbeat of this organisation, and their ongoing input ensures that our mission to protect cranes and conserve biodiversity continues to grow stronger each year.
Cranes, Conservation and a Call to Care
Cranes, Conservation and a Call to Care
This month, we celebrate Brent Coverdale receiving the Eagle Owl Award. Brent’s conservation journey began right here with the KZN Crane Foundation. From those early days in 2000, working with landowners and communities to protect our elegant cranes, this passion grew into a lifelong commitment to birds and their habitats.
Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Reserve
Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Reserve
The Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve, nestled in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, is a unique conservation area that embodies the KZN Crane Foundation’s vision of managing a biodiverse and sustainable landscape. This reserve plays a crucial role in protecting endangered species including (but not exclusively) cranes and the endangered oribi antelope, while promoting the harmonious coexistence of agriculture and wildlife. Rich in natural grasslands, the reserve offers scenic trails that invite exploration and appreciation of its diverse ecosystems.
The KZNCF Education Project
Based on the three pillars of the KZN Crane Foundation, nature-based education holds great importance. David Attenborough said: “If children don’t grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they wont’ protect it. And if they don’t protect it, who will?”
The Bees of the BBCONR
The KZN Crane Foundation is committed to sharing our Nature Reserve with our community, through educational walks and nature based experiences. The idea of the “bee display” was brought to the committee by Jon Bates, with unanimous agreement, the installation happened shortly thereafter.
“The Little Things” in Conservation & Biodiversity
The Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Reserve wraps around the eastern sides of the village of Nottingham Road. Along the R103, a large wetland forms the reserve’s western boundary, effectively filtering and cleaning up much of the pollution runoff from the village. This wetland converges with waters from another wetland, some 40 hectares in extent, running through the central portions of the Bill Barnes.
Grasslands
Management of the grasslands in the Bill Barnes Crane & Oribi Nature Reserve is a core value to ensure the protection of the endangered biome.
According to the South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Map of 2024 – the KZN Crane
Foundation – Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Reserve falls into the Mooi River Highland Grassland
Biome. These Biome classifications are based on in Mucina and Rutherford 2006 Vegetation of South Africa. Grassland Biomes are vital to South Africa’s ecology are often underestimated. Grasslands are biodiversity hotspots, supporting an array of plant, animal life and endemic species.
Wetlands
Wetlands are crucial for the survival and breeding of two of the three South African crane species. The health of the crane populations is directly linked to the health of wetland ecosystems. Even though some crane species will utilize grasslands, wetlands are still a very important part of their habitat needs.
TRAILS – Bill Barnes Crane & Oribi Reserve
The KZN Crane Foundation has the privilege of being the custodian of 30km of well maintained trails in the heart of Nottingham Road. The trails traverse the reserve and neighbouring farms with great options for shorter or longer trips. Visitors will see beautiful views of the Drakensberg Mountain Range and encounter plantations, wetland and veld. Access to the trails starts at our pedestrian gate near the Midlands Community College.
2024
Quarry Rehabilitation
Quarry Rehabilitation
In early 2024 we began the first tentative steps in the rehabilitation of the old quarry. We would like to extend our grateful thanks to N3TC for their support of the rehabilitation process. The project began with the planting of 25 young Ouhout trees (we have found they have responded well to our grazing management practices). In May we attended the annual Flora Symons indigenous tree auction put on by Barry Symons and through this we were able to buy a decent variety of trees that we expect will survive and eventually thrive.
Conservation Report
It’s supposed to be Spring, but we’ve experienced cold, rather wintery weather in the Midlands. Noticeable has been the slow growth of grasses and retardation of insect activity. Last month, brought us three very interesting happenings, within a few days of each other.
Education Project
Nature Based Education KZNCF’s school excursions (supported by N3TC and the Herman Ohlthaver Trust) expose learners to the natural grassland biome and the experience of, in and through nature. To date over 1500 learners and teachers walked on the three kilometre Education Trail, in nature and given appropriate, curriculum linked lessons.
Carmen Demmer Presentation @ Fordoun Village
The KZNCF were delighted to host Carmen Demmer for a talk on Improving monitoring methods and determining the breeding success of the Grey Crowned Cranes within a key agricultural area in South Africa. We welcomed over 100 people to the Fordoun Village for a delicious 3 course meal.
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