The Table Mountain Fund

The story of fynbos evolution spans an incredible one billion years. However, it was between five and two million years ago—when the climate became warmer and drier, and fire began shaping the landscape—that fynbos transformed into the extraordinary collection of plants we see today. Renowned for its unparalleled richness and beauty, fynbos remains one of Earth’s most unique and precious natural treasures. #capefloralkingdom #FynbosForever #fynbos #BiodiversityConservation #biodiversity Credit: Olivia McMurray

South Africa's Western Cape province is a true botanical gem, boasting the world's smallest yet richest plant kingdom. The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is home to over 9,000 plant species, with an astounding 70% found nowhere else on Earth. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the CFR’s unparalleled biodiversity, density, and endemism have earned it a place as one of the world’s critical biodiversity hotspots. However, this incredible ecosystem faces significant threats, emphasising the need for ongoing conservation efforts to protect this global natural treasure. #capefloralkingdom #FynbosForever #fynbos #BiodiversityConservation #biodiversity Credit: Olivia McMurray

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 This project aims to strengthen the governance and operational environmental capacity of the Rooiberg Breede River Conservancy (RBRC). Through this project, existing staff will be trained and upskilled, a young conservation professional will be recruited and effective environmental management systems will be created and adopted to improve the region's ecological, social and economic sustainability. #fynbosforever #tmfinthefield #capefloralkingdom #biodiversityconservation #youthempowerment #upskill #training #environmentalmanagement Credit: Mandy Laroo

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘬𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘧   Wildfires can be very harmful and destroy property, livelihoods and biodiversity when left unmanaged. It is therefore important for landowners to practice Integrated Fire Management (IFM) and to work with vulnerable communities on the wildland-urban interface (WUI) who often depend on this interface as an economic source (e.g. beekeepers, flower harvesters, wood harvesters etc.). The main objective of this project is to set-up IFM plans across two identified Fire Management Units - The Walker Bay and the Sondagskloof - and use this as a pilot project that can be replicated across other FMUs. These plans will assist landowners, landowner groups, fire authorities and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association with strategic planning and implementation around fire and enable resource pooling from multiple entities. #fynbosforever #tmfinthefield #capefloralkingdom #biodiversityconservation #fireriskreduction Credit: Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴   Leopards, the apex predator in the Fynbos Biome, face multiple threats to their survival. As a wide-roaming territorial species, the loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat is a major concern. Therefore, protecting connectivity across the landscape is essential for the persistence of leopards and to ensure that they can continue to provide vital ecosystem services. This collaborative project aims to facilitate and strengthen voluntary landscape conservation and capacity building towards effective conservation management within three biodiverse leopard connectivity corridors. Through this project, Cape Leopard Trust and Conservation Outcomes aim to use lessons learnt and successes achieved within these corridors as a roadmap to catalyse and inform similar action in other priority landscape linkages across the Western Cape.    #fynbosforever #tmfinthefield #capefloralkingdom #leopardconservation #conservation #apexpredator #landscapeconservation #biodiversityconservation

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 As part of our Care Programme, Nature Connect has been appointed by the Table Mountain Fund to issue small grants aimed at supporting new organisations and individuals in the conservation sector. For the 2025 funding cycle, they are inviting project applications that demonstrate a strong connection between community involvement and conservation efforts. Grants of up to R40,000 per project are available, with only one application permitted per organisation. To find out more and to apply follow the link below.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦 Nature Connect’s Conservation Leadership Programme, a key part of the organisation's environmental education strategy, integrates conservation education with life skills and leadership training to inspire a new generation of conservation leaders. The programme acknowledges that lasting environmental transformation requires a multi-faceted and holistic approach, with repeated interventions proving more effective at promoting lasting change. The initiative engages youth for a seven-year period, targeting ages 11 to 18. Since its inception in 2013, the programme has supported seven cohorts, each consisting of 15 to 24 young participants. #FynbosPride #TMFInTheField #ConservationFunding #EnvironmentalEducation #mentorship #CapeFloralKingdom #fynboseducation #FynbosForever #youthinconservation Credit: Pierre van der Spuy

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸: 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 Through this project, the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy Trust aims to enrich rural youth's understanding and appreciation of freshwater systems in the Greater Cape Floristic Region. This will be accomplished by creating five "state of the river" reports using data from local miniSASS and SASS5 activities conducted near areas where youth live and play. The project will support a national citizen science initiative for river health reporting and encourage local organisations to produce similar reports for their catchments. This initiative will raise awareness among youth, foster local conservation efforts, and help hold decision-makers accountable for implementing improvements in river health. #FynbosPride #TMFInTheField #ConservationFunding #CommunityConservation #EnvironmentalEducation #mentorship #CapeFloralKingdom #fynboseducation #FynbosForever #youthinconservation #freshwaterconservation Credit: Grootvadersbosch Conservancy

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 2: 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 Through this project, BRAVE Rock Girl aims to provide youth from the Cape Flats (predominantly girls) with meaningful immersive experiences in the Cape Floristic Region and to encourage them to value, respect and develop an appreciation for fynbos. Through monthly workshops; attending camps and conservation events; adventure, conservation and educational holiday programmes; and conservation career days, this project will assist youth in gaining the skills and confidence required to become decision makers and to speak up to protect the environment and themselves while urging their families and communities to join them.  #FynbosPride #TMFInTheField #ConservationFunding #CommunityConservation #EnvironmentalEducation #mentorship #CapeFloralKingdom #fynboseducation #FynbosForever #girlsinconservation #youthinconservation Credit: Jacques Marais

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗠𝗙 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁   𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵   The Character Company (TCC) is a long-term MENtorship programme for young boys growing up with absent fathers or no positive male role models in their lives. Through focused weekly sessions, adventures and camps, a positive male role model (screened and vetted by TCC) walks a mentorship journey with a group of no more than five boys. Boys are enrolled in the programme between the ages of 5 and 12 years old and there is no “exit age”. TCC’s five values (Honesty, Courage, Kindness, Respect & Self-Discipline) are supported by an activities-based 12-month curriculum. With respect as one of their core values, the boys are MENtored to understand their responsibility as custodians of nature through various initiatives and outdoor experiences. TCC has recently started a programme in the Western Cape and, through this project, will be providing outdoor experiences to groups of boys in Somerset West, Wellington, Delft and Milnerton.     #FynbosPride #TMFInTheField #ConservationFunding #CommunityConservation #EnvironmentalEducation #mentorship #CapeFloralKingdom #fynboseducation #FynbosForever