Eco-Restoration

From an agricultural perspective, most of Skilderkrantz land is extremely marginal and is of much more value as an extension of the Baviaanskloof Mega-reserve. As with much of the land in South Africa, it should never have been disturbed in the first place.

In recent years at Skilderkrantz, agriculture has been expanded exponentially without regard for resources such as water. The crystal mountain waters are abundant enough in this dry land, but citrus is notoriously thirsty. Over ambitious expansion of orchards has put the mountain streams and their ecologies under unsustainable pressure.

We plan to scale down the farming activities dramatically, and shift the emphasis to Wilderness expansion, eco-system restoration and non-harmful leisure activities. A maximum of 5% of the total land area will be retained as fruit orchards, grazing and small vegetable gardens, which will be systematically converted to ecological / organic management methods. The rest of the 8000 ha, much of which is wild and rugged, will be managed up the Wilderness Scale to the most pristine state achievable.

It is our belief that sound zoning and planning on a bio-regional and national level ought to ensure that farming takes place only in those areas that can sustain it without damage to the very resources that underpin it.

Simply removing the farming activities as they exist at present will allow plant and animal species to move in again.

Current Eco-Restoration

In progress at present are:

Architectural Restoration

Original vernacular cottages on the property are being restored for visitor and resident accommodation. Most modern structures are being dismantled and recycled. Any new building done will be in the old style, combining the wisdom of the past (such as thick walls for insulation), with cutting-edge eco-building technology. New building will only take place on previously used land.

Both retrofitting and new building will use healthy, eco-compatible materials and methods wherever there is an alternative. Domestic and agricultural energy systems are being converted to clean, renewable power.