Veld Fluister!

Veld Fluister is a celebration of the quiet, unspoken connections we have with the veld, where every plant and every experience tells a story. In this new series, we shine a light on the personal journeys of our members as they immerse themselves in nature.

Image: Wild pear tree (Dombeya rotundifolia) CC Koekemoer (iNaturalist)

Veld Fluister is a celebration of the quiet, unspoken connections we have with the veld, where every plant and every experience tells a story. In this new series, we shine a light on the personal journeys of our members as they immerse themselves in nature. Their stories remind us of the powerful, often unexpected encounters with biodiversity that are waiting just beyond our everyday view. Whether it’s a blooming flower or the arrival of migratory birds, the veld speaks to all of us in different ways.

Without further ado, we’re excited to introduce the first in our Veld Fluister series, where we’ve had the pleasure of gathering insights from some of our passionate BotSoc members. Through discussions with Kyra, our Chairperson, and Eugene Marinus, a dedicated conservationist, we explore their personal connections to the veld this spring. Kyra reflects on the often-overlooked natural beauty in urban spaces, from the blossoming wild pear trees to the migratory swallows that signal the changing season. Her experiences remind us that nature’s wonders are often closer than we think.

Meanwhile, Eugene’s story takes us into the forgotten treasures of Tulbagh, where his efforts in plant conservation and community engagement are revitalizing local reserves and flora. From his Sunday Walk series to working with farmers and schools, Eugene’s dedication to South African biodiversity shines through.

These personal accounts offer a glimpse into the quiet yet powerful ways in which nature speaks to us all. I hope their experiences inspire you as much as they have inspired me.

Kyra Lunderstedt
Kyra, our Chairperson, speaks fondly of the wild pear tree (Dombeya rotundifolia) , a species she’s noticed blossoming in gardens, street sides and wild urban pockets. The tree’s beautiful white blossoms make it a standout during spring, and it can be found from KwaZulu-Natal northwards to Ethiopia (https://pza.sanbi.org/dombeya-rotundifolia). Reflecting on her experiences, Kyra points out how easy it is to overlook the nature around us, often feeling like we need to travel far to experience it fully. She shares her own guilt of sometimes missing out on what’s right in front of her. One such moment of realization came during a visit to Rietfontein Nature Reserve, a wild pocket within the city. There, she met an inspiring young boy who knew all the wildlife species in the area, even by their scientific names. This interaction inspired Kyra, where she felt so encouraged by young people enjoying the rich biodiversity we have in our urban green spaces, often just a short walk or drive away.

The arrival of the migratory Swallows this year once again signalled the start of spring for Kyra, bringing a sense of anticipation and excitement for the season to come. She encourages us to not only visit the well-known National Botanical Gardens but also explore the local parks and reserves that might be right on our doorstep. These spaces offer an abundance of natural beauty without the need for long-distance travel, often providing free access to connect with nature. One of these wild pockets in suburbia which Kyra visits is The Wilds Nature Reserve, which she recently discovered her grandmother used to visit with her mother. This connection to both family and nature deepened Kyra’s appreciation for these spaces. Kyra has also been inspired by the wider plant community mobilizing around her, such as the Mountain Club South Africa, which has been offering iNaturalist courses to engage more people in understanding and appreciating our local flora. She encourages members to socialize and connect with local plant enthusiasts, regardless of which community they belong to, as these shared experiences help foster a deeper connection to the natural world.

Eugene’s journey with plant conservation stretches beyond his walks. After a successful tenure as the Founding Curator of the Hantam National Botanical Garden, he moved to Tulbagh, bringing with him the same enthusiasm and deep knowledge of South African flora. In Tulbagh, he became actively involved in the Tulbagh Environmental Network (TEN), a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the area’s biodiversity. One of their key successes has been tackling the overgrazing issue in the Galgheuwel Reserve, a local municipal reserve that had been suffering due to the pressure from small-scale farmers. With collaborative efforts, Eugene and TEN managed to halt the overgrazing, and today, the reserve is flourishing. Local residents who used to walk through the reserve in their youth are now witnessing the return of the biodiversity they once knew, and they’ve shared their joy with Eugene, recalling how the area was once rich in plant life and are delighted to see its rebirth.

Beyond the reserve, Eugene has also started working with local farmers, educating them about the importance of the indigenous flora on their land and offering guidance on how to conserve and cultivate it. Eugene has even worked with SANBI and TEN to help reintroduce indigenous plants into three local schools’ grounds, which has been met with overwhelming success. Requests from other schools have started pouring in, seeking guidance and donations to start their own indigenous gardens, further demonstrating the growing awareness and appreciation for plant conservation in the community.

The veld is always whispering, and we invite you to listen more closely. If you’d like to share your experience or be featured in the Veld Fluister series, we encourage you to contact us at veldandflora@botanicalsociety.org.za. Let’s keep sharing and celebrating these beautiful moments in nature.