operation runs at over R2.5m annually.
Since planting began, more than
12000 indigenous plants have been
planted since 2008 (this does not
include bulb varieties).
Spier is embarking on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 6ha
of land into a new, pristine wetland
ecosystem adjoining the Spier Hotel. This area was once a pear orchard and home to a derelict waste
water treatment plant (which will
be fully decommissioned during this
process). The development has environmental authorisation and at
the time of writing, was waiting for
the crucial water license before proceeding with the project.
The Spier Hotel wetland will include
the construction of a berm abut ting
Baden Powell Drive which will help
to reduce noise and light pollution
from passing traffic. The wetland
system will include an extensive
carbon filtration system to help
clean incoming water and will involve extensive re-planting of indigenous wetland plants. An ecocorridor will be constructed under
the Baden Powell Drive to allow for
animals to pass freely across the
road and into the wetland.
Education and awareness
In the new wetland mentioned
above, walkways and hideouts will
allow visitors to quietly observe the
wetland ecosystem in its living form
and further enhance the overall
awareness of sensitive ecosystems
and riverine systems impacting on
the Eerste River.
A special Protea Walk on the South
Bank of the Eerste River has been
created to allow guests the opportunity to explore these replanted
areas. Signage has also been erected, helping to educate and explain
what guests are seeing.
Spier has also introduced Segway
PT tours, taking groups past wetlands, our water treatment plant
and organic vineyards.
Stellenbosch River Collaborative
In developing our water conservation strategies, we are mindful that
not only Spier farm is an ecosystem
with a complex network of social
and environmental players, but,
too, that we exist as part of a
broader context and community. To
achieve enduring successes in conserving water and improving the
health of the riparian systems that
flow through our land, it is essential
that we work together with other
stakeholders in the region to extend
our reach beyond direct business
impact and into our community
and society.
Spier is a founding member of the
Stellenbosch River Collaborative
(SRC), which launched in late 2013.
This group of likeminded organisations and people is committed to
improving the water quality of the
rivers in the Eerste River Catchment,
initially focusing on the Plankenbrug River.
Adopting a “learning by doing” approach, the SRC aims to develop a
collaborative governance response
to the catchment’s health issues
and environment. The SRC’s first
project, which is being implemented in partnership with the
Wildlands NGO, will restore 250ha,
with cleaning, alien clearing and
the planting of 150,000 indigenous
trees and riverine plants over the
next three years. A total of 28 local
community members are employed
as river catchment and land stewards.
We are also exploring various ecofiltration technologies (using biomimicry techniques developed by
John Todd) to help clean water in a
river bordering a local informal settlement in which municipal services
are minimal and/or ineffective.
Tree-preneurs and the Million
Tree Programme
Working together with Wildlands,
Spier is a partner of the Treepreneur project, which encourages