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| Area Conserved: |
| 5 ha |
| Wine District: |
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| Owner / Contact Person: |
| Boets and Stroebel Nel |
| Phone: |
| (044) 2133 314 |
| Website: |
| www.dekrans.co.za |
| Membership Date: |
| 31 May 2006 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 5ha.
Area conserved- 5 ha De Krans is the first estate in the Little Karoo to become a BWI member. The owners Boets en Stroebel Nel are committed to conserve the Succulent Karoo vegetation on the farm. Over the past few years they've also contributed to nature conservation, by donating the profits of their special heritage wine collection, to the nearby Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve. |
De Krans has been involved in conservation actions since 1991. In this year their first Heritage Collection was bottled and all profits has been donated to CapeNature, specifically the nearby Gamkasberg Nature Reserve (R50000.00 over the past few years). One of the results of this funding is an information centre at this reserve. The golden Mimetes Protea species, Cape mountain zebra, as well as the honey badger were some of the fauna depicted on the labels of this wine collection.
An area of 5 ha of succulent karoo (veldtype: Eastern Little Karoo) has been identified for conservation. Although there is still a large percentage of this veldtype left it is poorly protected and large areas are under threat of the ever-expanding ostrich industry. About 3 hectares of this area are still in good condition. Part of the area was used as an airstrip in the past and the idea is to rehabilitate these degraded areas over the next five to ten years. They will follow management guidelines supplied to them by BWI 's extension officer.
This area also forms part of an important conservation corridor identified by SKEP (Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme) as well as the Gouritz Initiative.
Vineyards of De Krans are situated on either side of the Gamka River, the lifeline for agriculture in this area. All water use from this river is registered with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The owners of De Krans are committed to conservation of their section of the river and have written a clearing programme for all alien vegetation. No effluent from the cellar is disposed of in the river, but instead the cellar's waste water is driven away by the local authority. Illegal fishing is one of the major threats to the indigenous fish species (e.g. the Slender Redfin Minnow) and the owners will assist law enforcement officers to address this problem. |
