Western & Northern Cape

The Western Cape Region has a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall.

This area is home to an extreme diversity of habitats, ranging from the very dry Karoo, through fire-prone fynbos, to patches of Africa’s southernmost Afromontane forest archipelago. Each of these habitats has extraordinary biodiversity, with the fynbos (Cape Floristic Region) containing the highest diversity of plant species per unit area of any region on planet Earth. Critically, and because of human influence, each of these habitats is also the last remaining home for a great number of endangered species. Any conservation work in this area has the potential to positively influence many species, including those in desperate need of help.

Focus areas:

• Education – volunteers give talks, workshops and presentations on water, climate change, citizen science, sustainability and more.

• Citizen Science – members and Friends Groups actively contribute to platforms like iNaturalist and Cape Citizen Science, providing valuable data to researchers and SANBI.

• Green Coast Project – Friends of Blaauwberg are leading the way towards achieving the first Green Coast status in Cape Town.

• Friends Groups – almost 30 active groups restore natural spaces, clear aliens, run litter clean-ups, host educational events, and engage in advocacy.

• Advocacy & compliance – members campaign to protect biodiversity areas, aquifers, heritage sites and fynbos corridors, while also raising awareness about issues such as plastic waste, CO₂ emissions and water security.

WESSA’s roots in the Western Cape go back to 1886 with the Western Districts Game Protection Society. Over the decades, members lobbied for the proclamation of Addo, Mountain Zebra, and Kalahari Gemsbok National Parks, campaigned for the protection of Cape Point, and launched the Friends of Nature Areas movement in the 1980s. Landmark initiatives included the “Save Table Mountain” campaign, early coastal protection projects, and pioneering citizen involvement in environmental planning.

Today, the Western Cape Region continues to lead through its Friends Groups, citizen science participation, and community-driven initiatives — truly embodying WESSA’s vision of People Caring for the Earth.

Western Cape Projects

Citizen Science

Public participation in science is increasing, and citizen science has a central part in this. It is a contribution by the public to research, actively undertaken and requiring thoughtful action.

Project 2

Branches & Affiliates

The Western Cape Region is home to one of WESSA’s most active branches and almost 30 affiliated Friends Groups. These groups play a vital role in conservation, rehabilitation, education, biodiversity monitoring, clean-ups, fundraising, cultural and historical conservation, and advocacy — keeping our natural spaces protected and communities engaged.

Eden Branch
Formed in 1983, the Eden Branch is very active in the Garden Route area, organising regular talks and outings on birding, botany, geology and biodiversity, supporting the Garden Route Botanical Garden and Kos en Fynbos activities, and running local clean-ups. The branch is also involved in community food garden initiatives and environmental education projects.

Contact Eden Branch
Christine Ridge-Schnaufer
wessageorge@isat.co.za

Friends & Affiliates in the Western Cape:
Almost 30 active Friends Groups are spread across the region, each contributing to protecting and restoring natural areas. These groups run projects ranging from alien clearing and litter clean-ups to biodiversity monitoring, educational events, skills-building, cultural conservation and public advocacy.

Download the WESSA Western Cape Friends Groups & Affiliates Map

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