Sometimes what might still be is more important than what is. In the case of Tim and Angelique Carr's Reflections Eco-Reserve, which abuts the Rondevlei, what you see is only part of what may yet come.
So it is with conservation work, which is also never truer than when it is being funded and built by the Carrs themselves.
What began in 2007 as 27ha of degraded pine forests that was overgrown with alien species is already transformed. The Carrs have expanded their conservation footprint with an additional 60ha. And now have their sights on more neighbouring property with a plan to open it all to the greater nature reserve to encourage the free movement of species.
"We planted over 3 500 trees and cut these paths ourselves," Tim Carr says while stoking the braai fire. He told me that they had the South African family market in mind when building their carbon-neutral, two-storey timber houses. Entirely off grid, these generously proportioned houses are powered by solar, wind turbine and gas, while rain water is collected in tanks. A double-filter system in the kitchen filters drinking water. Braai and indoor firewood are from the many alien trees cleared from the land.
Reflections Eco-Reserve shares a fence with the Garden Route National Park.
There are four houses available for self-catering rentals. Each house has one queen-sized room, a second bedroom with twin beds and open mezzanine accommodation upstairs with two single beds. There is a full bathroom with a loo, as well as a separate loo and basin.
The fully equipped kitchen is well suited to self-catering. You can't use a hairdryer or electric kettle here, but pretty much everything else can be powered and charged during your stay via renewable resources.
This story is from the 10 May 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 10 May 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.