Conservation Management in : Challenges & Successes A PLACE OF CONTINENTAL SIGNIFICANCE…

20⁰00’E 34⁰ 50’ S to be celebrated, a showcase of all we are and all we can achieve SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF S34˚49’59” E20˚00’12”

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On 14 September 1998 SANParks acquired a 4 ha portion of land at the southernmost tip of the African continent to establish a national park.

Reason for establishment

Declared in 1999 (GN 1135 in GG 20476) dated 23 September 1999. The key intention of founding the park was to protect the following 4 aspects:

Lowland with A wide variety of wet- Geographic location Rich cultural heritage four vegetation units lands(freshwater of the Southernmost (From Stone-age, San, Khoi with high conservation springs,rivers,estuaries Tip of Africa herders, Shipwrecks, status: ,floodplains,lakes, vleis (To conserve and European settlement, Fishermen, agriculture, Central rûens shale and pans) The ecological maintain the spirit of flower farming, salt mining renoster-veld (critically functioning of the and place of the endangered); other fresh water systems on southernmost tip of until today) Elim ferricrete fynbos the Agulhas plain is critically Africa and develop its (endangered) dependent on water quality and tourism potential) Agulhas sand fynbos quantity of interlinked pans, wetlands, seasonal streams, (vulnerable) flow and interchanges that inland salt pans occur under natural conditions. (vulnerable

The ANP started out with the following huge establishment challenges: • Staff capacity insufficient – quantity & quality • Time constraints – everything must be done now • Inadequate Funding for operations & infrastructure development and/or maintenance • Total open access – no control or area integrity • A need for accommodation & entrance gate • Underdeveloped Southernmost Tip of Africa & Lighthouse • Only tourism activity was the CA Lighthouse tower and museum • Roads not formalized with a myriad of jeep tracks & smaller roads • A social ecology challenge … • Community mistrust & misinformation about ANP • Land issues, ownership, unconsolidated land pockets, etc. • Degraded & eroded ecosystems (cultivated land, wetlands & environment) • Alien Infestations of 75 – 100% densities • Fire threats • ….

Conservation Contentmanagement in ANP with special focus on: 1.Alien invasive plant clearing

2. rehabilitation & restoration 3.Tourism & Development

Conservation Management in general: Agulhas National Park • seeks to maintain and manage the long- term persistence of biodiversity patterns and processes.

• While the overall goal is to consolidate a range of viable terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems characteristic of the Agulhas area, • the health of the systems in the park must also be safeguarded. 1. Alien Plant Clearing Programme: WfW • Ecosystems and ecosystem processes in the park are under threat from invasive alien species which are a high priority and are being cleared by the park. • Mission: • To manage alien vegetation proactively and effectively • To ensure integrated and coordinated management (approach that actively pursues external partnerships and integration of SANParks operational staff). • To continually monitor and measure the IAP clearing & WfW Project’s performance in the removal of alien vegetation and subsequent enhancement of biodiversity conservation and sustainable socio-economic development • Align the project’s Annual Plan of Operation (APO) with the SANParks Corporate Operational plan (to ensure implementation that is consistent with approved agreements between SANParks and the Working for Water Program).

High level objective: Biodiversity Conservation & Increase in Water Run-off

Invasive Alien Plant Clearing: To clear invasive alien & emerging plant species & cosmopolitan weeds, for the purpose of protecting, conserving and rehabilitating biodiversity within ecologically sensitive areas, and primarily for the increase in water run off & subterranean water tables due to the removal of high water consuming exotic invasive plant species. The general strategy in clearing IAP’s is determined by: • Area’s conservation status, Sensitive bio diverse area, park management priorities – future tourist areas, CDF, expansion, aesthetics, etc.

• Previous investment – initial clearing & follow up, maintain

• Threat to indigenous fauna and flora

• Commercial value of land to the park

• Major catchment areas, sources, water release

• Fire risk & spread

• Flood risk

• Emerging weeds: Areas of contamination or potential spread – aggressive species • Private land owner assistance – contractual agreements

Patterns of site irreplaceability across the Agulhas Plain including Category 1 reserves as mandatory reserves (Initial Reserve), and excluding Municipal areas (Initial Excluded). IAP Clearing prioritized by section/area in ANP • Taking these factors into account, the project determines priority areas and categorizes these into: low- (L) medium- (M) high- (H) risk areas Area Conservation Status Previous Investment Fauna Threat Tourist / Commercial Value Water Fire Risk Flood Risk Emerging Weeds Score Waterford 1 2 2 3 2 2 0 1 13(H) Ratel River 1 2 2 3 2 3 0 1 14 (H) Rietfontein 2 0 3 2 0 3 0 1 11 (H) Hangnes 1 0 3 2 0 1 0 1 8 (M) Bergplaas 0 2 2 2 1 2 0 1 10 (M) Rhenosterkop 1 1 2 2 1 2 0 0 9 (M) Springfield 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 11(M) Soutbos 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 6(L) Brakfontein 2 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 9(M) Agulhas 2 2 1 4 1 1 0 1 12(H) Table 1: clearing prioritization by area Conservation Status & Biodiversity Hot Spots in ANP

• Critically Endangered - Bosheuwel/Saltpans region Rietfontein before 2002

• Endangered - Rietfontein, Hangnes, Bergplaas

• High priority areas (Nballed) - Ratel River - Soutbosch, Rietfontein after 2007 • Sensitive - Lowland freshwater wetlands - Dune strandveld - Inland saltpans

Environmental factors impacting the IAP control programs

• The remote location and wetland systems in areas such as Rietfontein, Ratelrivier and Waterford creates a challenge in clearing AIP’s.

• Occasional fires started naturally or by default are difficult to anticipate when planning the APO, which may lead to Ad hoc work.(2003, 2007, 2009/10)

• Clearing in wetland systems where the water level rises substantially during the rainy season prevents clearing form happening during this time. Wattles growing in the water is difficult to clear, as herbicide cannot be applied in water

• Access to clearing areas is poor, and the roads are mostly gravel. After rain, most access roads cannot be used. This impacts negatively on productivity

• In winter, mostly cyclonic rainfall, decrease the available work hours. Monitoring & Evaluation • There are various ways in which the clearing of AIP’s is monitored and evaluated within the alien clearing projects. This is a critical aspect as, at the end of the day, it determines how effective the work is being done and if we are making an impact. The methods used are listed below but consist of the following: • Pre-contract generation requests forms • Contracts generated from datasheets (areas info) send in by PM as per APO for that financial year • Pre- contract Inspections • Before clearing starts, contractors are invited to a site inspection of the area to be cleared. Based on the hectares, driving distance and density of alien plants, the contractor then tenders for the site. • In- field Inspections • During the clearing of a contract, the site is visited by project management staff to assess work quality, H&S and productivity. • An infield inspection sheet is used to assess the contractor, which is kept on file in the office. • Post – contract Evaluation • When a contractor finishes a contract, the site is inspected by project management staff to determine whether the complete area has been cleared and whether clearing took place according to standard. This is called the pre- inspection. Once project staff is satisfied, the relevant owner or representative of the property is notified to undertake a final site inspection. Once the owner/ representative is satisfied, the area is signed off as cleared, this also includes a section ranger to sign that the work standard is satisfactory. • Annual evaluations • Clearing areas are inspected and the densities evaluated. • This information is used to update the baseline for the next financial year. • Self-assessment • Self-assessments are to be conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure that the project operates according to standard. These assessments are kept on file in the office • Database evaluation • The database for the project (the baseline) is evaluated on an annual basis. New areas to the project are added, Nbals are cut according to property boundaries where this has not been done, information regarding IAP’s present per Nbal and the density of the IAP’s are recorded and updated.

Springfield January January 2009 January 2010 2007 Rhenosterkop : Before clearing 2014

Rhenosterkop : After Clearing 2015 2. Wetland Rehabilitation & Restoration

Programs are also being developed for wetland restoration and interventions on the Agulhas Plain following same principles as for WfW.

AGULHAS WORKING ON WETLANDS • Mission: to secure the Agulhas water resources by rehabilitating the wetlands and thereby improve the rich biodiversity and associated patterns and processes of the wetlands and secure a water source for human consumption. • The AP wetlands are unique – wide range of wetland types in a relative small area

Implementation of wetland rehabilitation & interventions • Process & timeframes: • Consultation Team, project review team, • Wetland/site assessments (level1 & 2 / or phase 1 & 2) • Objectives, Scope, design, EMP, M & E, Interventions • Rehabilitation Plan • BP / APO • Implement

Floods

Erosion

3. Tourism & Development: • The development of responsible tourism practices in the park are prioritized: • 3.1. Main Rest Camp, Lagoon house, smaller camps & Ratelrivier • ANP’s most iconic spots of interest and important historic sites are the • 3.2. Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and • 3.3. Southernmost Tip of Africa, which will shortly be up-graded to showcase this element of the park. 1. Agulhas Rest Camp – touch the earth lightly

Rest Camp area before development Rest camp area after development Lagoon House Smaller Camps • Southern Tip boardwalk

• Rasperpunt Boardwalk

• Development of other boardwalks and bird hides in near future

• Roads network and fencing Ratelrivier homestead is another icon within the park, which is one of the oldest on the Agulhas Plain. • Renovation will enable revenue generation for the park - outsourced • Working in conjunction with scientific services the park is ensuring that the restoration of these areas for tourism purposes also ensures the continued healthy functioning of the ecosystems they are in - (wetlands)

CHMP: English garden, farm animals, horse riding / Re introduction of wild life, etc.

Ratelrivier Homestead: Werf & Infrastructure lay out

Ratelrivier homestead Ratelrivier Homestead 2. Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Precinct Development of Southern Tip of Africa & CA Lighthouse to enhance tourism experience. • Gateway: visual linkages, sense of arrival • Parking area needed • Tourism Information, Reception • Heritage centre with display area / lecture hall, etc. • Restaurant catering for 60 + --- outsource • Vendor Stalls /craft sales • Viewing decks • Picnic area • Lighthouse: Commercial • Serial vision: range of experiences • Dome: southern cross (planetarium) • “Spiritual sanctuary” • Needle (Agulhas: needles or peaks) • Meditation corners

Precinct/ Southern-tip Dev.

• Funded by NDT (14.1mil)

• Iconic structure • Re-aligning the boardwalk • Paving of the road from lighthouse to southern-tip (pending approval of a business plan)

2. Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Precinct

Programme Project Budget Progress

Agulhas Lighthouse IDP Phase 1 R 22 000 000.00 Site layout and design form being finalised between Architect and Urban Precinct Designer

7 Aditional Chalets R 8 890 729.00 Completed and minor works being addressed on older chalets

IDP Phase 3 Entrance Gate R 507 300.00 Completed

Staff Accommodation R 1 709 400.00 Completed and garages added to scope

EIA in process. Design finalised and tender documentation being prepared for NDT R 14 107 000.00 Most Soutern Tip Iconic Bussiness plan approval Structure

SANParks Designs submitted to HWC and tender documentation almost finalised. Aiming Ratelriver Homestead R 11 000 000.00 Insurance to have contractor on site before end August 2015 Lighthouse Precinct

Programme Project Budget Progress

Agulhas Lighthouse IDP Phase 1 R 22 000 000.00 Site layout and design form being finalised between Architect and Urban Precinct Designer

7 Aditional Chalets R 8 890 729.00 Completed and minor works being addressed on older chalets

IDP Phase 3 Entrance Gate R 507 300.00 Completed

Staff Accommodation R 1 709 400.00 Completed and garages added to scope

EIA in process. Design finalised and tender documentation being prepared for NDT R 14 107 000.00 Most Soutern Tip Iconic Bussiness plan approval Structure

SANParks Designs submitted to HWC and tender documentation almost finalised. Aiming Ratelriver Homestead R 11 000 000.00 Insurance to have contractor on site before end August 2015 Lighthouse Precinct Development of Southern Tip of Africa to enhance tourism experience. •Photo opportunity – WOW factor? •Footprint minimalistic – no ablution, etc. •Rehabilitate site. •Vegetation Survey / EIA •Consultations with stakeholders •Funded by NDT •Iconic structure •Re-aligning the boardwalk •* Paving of the road from lighthouse to southern-tip

• IDP – Agulhas Municipality and Provincial Administration of the • Acquire two properties – South African National Parks to initiate • Development plan finalised and competition brief for the Southern precinct - South African National Parks in partnership with Province and Agulhas Municipality • Set up international architectural competition: exposure and solution • Partnership between national, provincial and local governments 3. Iconic Structure Iconic Structure Iconic Structure Iconic Structure

In summary:

• Please note: • We are becoming one of SA’s flagship parks – not yet,…. • ANP strive for and is reaching targets as set out and achieve higher than anticipated on most deliverables and outputs • ANP’s – WfW & WfWet projects are of the best in SA • The Agulhas Rest Camp is rated very high within SANParks • Dedication & Experience of staff & management, as well as continuity within structures lead to positive results in implementation • Trail & error approach with adaptive management styles • Lessons learnt and applied - also research (EIA’s, • Mentoring, in-house training & development of personnel is a priority • Integration of departments, units and relevant staff • Collaboration with stakeholders is key – park forum, etc.

AGULHAS NATIONAL PARK