Photo: copyright Scott N Ramsay
Article by Gavin W. Maneveldt
Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology,
University of the Western Cape
The Critically Endangered Clanwilliam Cedar, (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) is endemic to
the Cederberg mountain range north of Cape Town. The number of cedar trees has declined dramatically over the past two centuries, initially due to historical unsustainable exploitation and harvesting of the trees for their beautiful, long-lasting and fragrant timber,
and more recently due to an increase in the frequency and intensity of fires.
I
n what has now become a significant botanical
and community conservation event, 2015 marked
the 12th consecutive year that Bushmans Kloof
Wilderness Reserve, in association with CapeNature, has hosted the annual Cedar Tree Planting Event
at Heuningvlei in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. If we
consider the initial trees planted at Bushmans Kloof,
the event has been running successfully for 14 consecutive years. Usually held on the third Saturday in May
the most recent event took place on Saturday 16 May
2015. Regular participants include: members of the
local branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa;
Cape Town Municipality; the Cederberg Conservancy;
the Heuningvlei, Wupperthal and Clanwilliam communities; Media 24; scholars from the local schools; the
Wildflower Society; and several others in their private
capacity. By far the largest single participatory group
are scholars from Elizabethfontein and Elandsfontein
primary schools where this project forms an integral
part of environmental and conservation education in
their curriculum.
Over 100 volunteers and scholars participate annually
and more than 1200 young cedar trees (150 – 200
plants per year since 2013) have thus far been planted,