The Western Cape has added more than 81 715 hectares to its protected area network through the declaration of over 20 new nature reserves between April 2025 and March 2026.
The newly declared reserves span the Cederberg, Agulhas Plain, Little Karoo and Garden Route, covering a mix of small properties and larger mountain and lowland areas. The additions form part of CapeNatures biodiversity stewardship programme, which enables landowners to voluntarily declare land as protected areas.
The declarations support the provinces conservation objectives and align with the Global Biodiversity Framework 30x30 target to protect 30 of land and oceans by 2030.
