One of South Africa’s most threatened ecosystems has just been given a fighting chance, and so have the rare Black Harriers that call it home.
Overberg, South Africa (11 August 2025) – In a win for one of South Africa’s most endangered ecosystems, 270 hectares of renosterveld in the Overberg have been secured for long-term conservation.
The Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT), in partnership with the UK-based World Land Trust (WLT) and the Mapula Trust, has secured the stretch of land between Bredasdorp and Swellendam.
The property, known as Goereesoe, holds some of the last remaining fragments of Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld, a vegetation type that’s down to just 5% of its original cover. What’s left is home to rare plants and one of the last safe spaces for the Endangered Black Harrier.
“This is a significant win for renosterveld and the Black Harrier,” says Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, CEO of the Overberg Renosterveld Trust.
“Goereesoe is one of the most important breeding sites for Black Harriers, with the highest known density of nests in a given year. By securing this land, we are protecting critical habitat and species whose futures are teetering on a knife edge.”
With fewer than 500 breeding pairs left in the wild, every patch of suitable habitat is critically important.
Goereesoe alone houses up to 20 breeding pairs, and when combined with neighbouring Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve and Plaatjieskraal (both also managed by the ORT) that number climbs to around 30 pairs.
That’s at least 6% of the global population of the endemic raptor relying on this one cluster of land.
“This acquisition will play an important role in renosterveld conservation. Protecting this site means safeguarding one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, and the species that depend on it. It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work from Odette and the ORT team,” says Dr Catherine Barnard, CEO of the World Land Trust
The new addition of Goereesoe also grows the ‘Haarwegskloof Cluster’, now the largest connected stretch of renosterveld left on Earth.
“We started with 500 hectares in 2013, and now we are up to over 1,300 hectares, after adding Plaatjieskraal and Goereesoe, which will both receive Nature Reserve status in due course,” says Curtis-Scott. “With the number of Black Harriers breeding on Goereesoe, this achievement has become a jewel in the crown for the ORT.”
The Trust isn’t stopping there.
By working with neighbouring farmers through conservation servitudes, legal agreements that protect land in perpetuity, they’re expanding safe corridors for wildlife.
“It means that wildlife, especially our precious pollinators and invertebrates, can move freely and safely across these natural remnant patches in this highly transformed landscape. Our ultimate goal being to protect as much of the remaining biodiversity as possible, building ecological resilience to future land-use and climate change,” adds Curtis-Scott.
Goereesoe will also play an important role in ongoing Black Harrier research, including GPS tracking to better understand their movements, migrations and the risks they face, from crossing countries to encountering windfarms.
The land purchase was made possible through WLT’s ‘Buy An Acre’ programme, which gives people around the world the chance to directly protect threatened habitats.
“We are incredibly grateful to our partners, including WLT, and the supportive landowners for helping to make this happen. This is a positive step for renosterveld and the species that call this ecosystem home. And it only comes to fruition when fantastic partners work together,” says Curtis-Scott.
“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when local expertise and international support come together with a shared vision for nature,” adds Dr Barnard.
Sources: Supplied
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