KNOW
GROW
Protect
ENJOY
People for Plants
There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow on South African soil. The Botanical Society of South Africa (NPO 003-394) is a member-driven organisation that offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Our mission is to win the hearts, minds and material support of individuals and organisations, wherever they may be, for the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora and vegetation of South Africa.
Know
Learn about South Africa’s diverse indigenous plant heritage, why their ecosystems matter so much, and how to conserve them in your own area. Read more.
Grow
Meet like-minded people who grow indigenous plants for enjoyment and conservation. Plant South African flora and watch these naturally water-wise plants create a safe haven for pollinators and wildlife at home. Read more.
Protect
Initiate, implement and maintain effective conservation efforts in rural and urban landscapes, wherever you are in South Africa, with the support of knowledgeable experts partnering with many other organisations to build our network. Read more.
Enjoy
From wild spaces and botanical gardens, to urban green corridors and your own backyard, our flora will ensure South Africa is a beautiful environment that brings people together with nature and each other. Read more.
Conserving our natural heritage, for all, forever
The Botanical Society was formed more than a century ago to help develop and support the country’s national botanical gardens. BotSoc’s mission has since grown to supporting plant conservation across South Africa through its branches and by working with key partners.
Reviving our commitment to
Plant Conservation
Our Council Chairperson Bongani Mnisi’s letter to BotSoc members
“In the last year, BotSoc focused on refining our strategies in terms of transformation, conservation and marketing, to put systems in place to support implementation of those goals. While in the main, we have made great strides in re-establishing ourselves as a plant conservation society of committed people who love South Africa’s indigenous plants, there is still a long way to go… Your new BotSoc Council met recently and we are excited about taking these reflections forward over the next year to serve our members and our planet through the work and activities of our branches that make us the dynamic community of people-for-plants that we are.”
Make the most of our
Spring Membership Special
You simply can’t miss out on the 2021 spring floral display.
That’s why we’re making it easy to enjoy the spring blooms in our national botanical gardens – through our spring BotSoc membership special. If you sign up as a member or renew before 30 September 2021, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your membership.
Enjoy 12 months of free access to all SANBI gardens and receive our Veld & Flora magazine, among other benefits.
It doesn’t matter when your membership expires: this special runs for 12 months from your membership expiry date.
Here’s how to benefit from this special.
This offer is only available to members who sign up on Webtickets. In order to take advantage of the discount, here are the easy steps to follow:
- When you reach the My Basket page on Webtickets just BEFORE you CHECKOUT you will see this field:
- Please enter the word botsoc and then click on APPLY VOUCHER.
- A 10% deduction appears on the right just above your total.
- Click on CHECKOUT to proceed to the payment screen.
- Don’t forget to complete the required fields on Webtickets.
Click here to make the most of this special.
In the meantime, enjoy our virtual spring spectacle through our spring flower watch series.
Our Conservation Work
BotSoc champions biodiversity conservation in South Africa to protect our extraordinary plant diversity and ecosystems.
CREW
STEWARDSHIP
CYCADS
CPUT
Botanical Gardens
BotSoc is a proud partner and funder of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), caretaker of our country’s 11 official National Botanical Gardens, as well as other privately run living libraries.
FEATURED GARDEN
KAROO DESERT
Free State
Kwa-Zulu Natal
DURBAN
KWELERA
Garden Route
LOWVELD
Hantam
Pretoria
Harold Porter
Thohoyandou
KIRSTENBOSCH
Walter Sisulu
Latest Veld & Flora e-issue – share the adventures of our People for Plants!
Sit back and enjoy the adventures in the world of South Africa’s marvellous plants that you can share through the Botanical Society.
BotSoc members get special three-month access to each new issue with the password that we have emailed to them. If you’re not yet a member, click here to join now!
Feel good about your Contribution to Conservation
DONATE
WHY JOIN?
Join hands with us
The Botanical Society of South Africa works to promote the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora of southern Africa for the benefit and sharing of all. Donating to BotSoc helps us to form new partnerships and mobilise resources to make worthy contributions, such as creating sustainable jobs and livelihood opportunities in South Africa’s conservation economy.
People for Plants
There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow all over South Africa. BotSoc SA (NPO 003-394) offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Together, we are a critical mass of people uniting through our love for protecting plants. Sign up as a member today and feel good about your contribution to conservation.
PLANT CONSERVATION FEATURE
WITH RUPERT KOOPMAN, SISSIE MATELA, NOEL OETTLÉ AND MICHAEL GROVER
We discuss principles of land management, what happens when land is not managed sustainably, and how you, as a BotSoc member, can promote good land management in your daily activities. Watch here
Upcoming Events
Thursday, 30 September 2021
Plant Conservation Webinar
Next up: Grasslands of South Africa
Our next BotSoc Plant Conservation Webinar takes place on Thursday 30 September from 5:00 – 6:00pm. We’re taking a look at the Grasslands of South Africa, with a focus on the conservation status and extent of our grasslands, threats and appropriate fire management. We’ve got a wonderful set of presenters, including Dr Debbie Jewitt of Ezembelo KZN Wildlife, Anisha Dayaram of SANBI and Prof Sally Archibald of Wits University.
Numbers are limited via Zoom, so register to join the webinar so long, and be sure to join the webinar early. (The webinar is also shown live on YouTube).
BRANCH COMMITTEES
Ongoing – Environmental Impact Assessment Training
iNaturalist TraininG
1, 8 , 15, 22, 29 Sep. MS Teams virtual sessions, Wednesdays at 7-7h30.
More information here
iNaturalist TraininG
6, 13, 20 Oct. MS Teams virtual sessions, Wednesdays at 7-7h30.
More information here
Great Southern Bioblitz
22 – 25 Oct. City of Cape Town
More information here
Latest #BotSocSA News
Locate your Branch
ALBANY
Free State
KZN Coastal
Pretoria
Algoa
Garden Route
KZN Inland
Southern Overberg
Bankenveld
Kirstenbosch
Limpopo
West Coast
Cederberg
Kogelberg
Lowveld
Winelands
Office hours
Monday to Friday 08h30 to 16h00. Closed on weekends and public holidays.
Call Us
T +27 (0) 21 797 2090
Or contact us by sending a Whatsapp message to +27 65 922 6163 during our office hours.