South Africa Land Purchase
Major news from South Africa — The final expansion of our Geometric Tortoise Preserve in Breede River Valley is nearly complete!
With a purchase agreement underway, the Turtle Conservancy has secured the last adjacent parcel of suitable habitat for the survival of the Geometric Tortoise — expanding our preserve by 22%. The 217-acre property contains critical fynbos habitat for the tortoises and includes a brick house as well as significant water rights to help us manage the fire risks associated with this landscape. This additional land will bring the total reserve area to 1,214.
This new parcel is better watered than other parts of the reserve and includes increased botanical diversity (including critically endangered Fynbos plants). The existing house on the property will serve as a research station and community environmental education center.
We have many to thank for this accomplishment. Our 2020 end-of-the-year campaign generated a noteworthy contribution from individual public donors, and a handful of TC board members came together with the Rainforest Trust to cover a significant portion of the purchase price. We are also grateful to the Naude family for parting with this parcel of land.
So far we have raised over half of what we need, but an additional support of $360,000 (of the total 665,000 purchase price) is needed to secure and maintain this essential piece of land that will complete our Geometric Tortoise Preserve. If you were unable to contribute in 2020 there is an ongoing campaign until the end of 2021 to raise the remaining balance needed to support this project.