Nature Association
The Birder, a publication with an international readership and associated with NGOs such as BirdLife South Africa and Endangered Wildlife Trust, showcases the value of birds, particularly as environmental indicators on golf courses and elsewhere, and also creates awareness of conservation issues facing birds, both in South Africa and worldwide. Click on the following link to visit their website:
Click here for In-Focus News
Do you all know the What Where and How about the Nature Association?
Here is a short resume to keep you informed - we will update periodically.
| What When the Dainfern Estate was first developed it was recognised that the area had some unique biospheres that should be preserved. The area was carefully environmentally surveyed and when the lovely golf course was developed these special areas were preserved and designated on the Estate plan. The care taken then has been handed to us all to nurture. So the Nature Association was born and now plays an important role on the Estate. It is run by a committee of dedicated voluntary residents, supported by management. Both residents and management give a lot of time towards ensuring that these designated, nature sensitive areas are maintained and cared for. |
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Where Nature sensitive areas are right throughout the Estate. In fact some of you who haven't had the opportunity to understand their significance perhaps wonder why there is "just bush" in the middle of smooth mowed kikuyu. Just look carefully, and delight in the joy that the huge urbanisation rush in this big city has not taken over and destroyed the special areas of unique highveld bakenveld, hosts of wild flowers, grassland etc which provide a home for some wonderful bird life, water monitors, bats and more |
| How To maintain our heritage the Dainfern Homeowners Association employs a team who generally keep the nature areas clean from debris and free from any invasive plants. The Nature Association , who are self funding, receive their funds from the In Focus magazine which over the years has grown from a simple couple of sheets to the magazine one sees today, a source of Estate, Golf and Supplier information, and it goes a long way towards providing the funding the Nature Association so desperately needs in order to function satisfactorily. Other functions put on by the Nature Association are not great money spinners but are more of a service to residents, to get to know you and to remind you all that the Nature Association exists, and is working hard! In the past we have held various talks ranging from those on the Zulu Wars, to the Galapagos Islands , from stories by Oom Schalk Lourens to the Johannesburg String Quartet, often complemented by a Wine Tasting and all thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended. Perhaps one of most successful endeavours has been the introduction of the Walk and Talk. These have traditionally taken place on a Monday afternoon when the golfers give us the opportunity to walk on the course. There have been a number of interesting talks such as African Bullfrog, Snakes, Indigenous Gardening, Bush Babies etc all with the For the Walk and Talk speakers are arranged and, if necessary, paid so that we endeavour to offer really knowledgeable people to speak on each topic. To this end we would be delighted if you know of anybody with special knowledge to do the "talk" so that we keep the programme interesting and varied. Linked to the Walk and Talks we have had the opportunity to release animals onto the Estate. The development of the Estate infrastructure and building operations etc tended to frighten away the animals/birds etc which would normally traditionally be found in this area and the Nature Association is endeavouring to right this through the re-introduction of wild life. Over the past couple of years we have re-introduced in White Faced Owls, Spotted Eagle Owls, Porcupines and Bush Babies -- and the occasional reptile and hopefully soon we will see the advent of some small buck. To succeed in this exciting project requires cooperation from us all and that is why we keep asking you to maintain control of your dogs at all times. Owning pets is an important part of our lives but because we live in this lovely area and amongst a very diverse community there are certain rules in place so that we can all live in harmony. Some of our Another very successful event organised by the Nature Association was the Garden Competition with the super prize of a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show kindly donated by Brian Falconer Estates. This event showed us just how beautiful the gardens are in this area! It is also important to note that the Nature Association loves gardens of all However the Nature Association doesn't just focus on events to raise awareness of nature but puts any money raised to good use on the Estate - removing invasive kikuyu (a huge - and expensive - task), rehabilitating nature sensitive areas, creating walking trails, |
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| Indigenous trees suitable for planting on Dainfern Click here to view the list of all indigenous trees that are suitable for planting Dainfern Birds Click here to view the list of birds found at Dainfern |
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Resident Anticipation Apart from supporting the Nature Association by attending functions there are a number of residents who have played an enormous role in enhancing nature sensitive areas (with the approval and blessing of the Nature Association ) by removing kikuyu and encouraging natural grass and by planting a host of indigenous trees. This kind of involvement has helped the Nature Association enormously and is much appreciated. Just please remember that approval is required for this kind of activity so that mistakes are avoided. Some years ago one of the residents put an enormous amount of work into producing an Estate Bird List which another resident published free of charge. To take this further the Nature Association is working on the publication of Nature Trail maps in a booklet incorporating all sorts of information which will be useful as you are walking. As you can see resident participation is welcomed and encouraged - the committee is not for a select few. The Nature Association acts as the custodian of certain areas of the Estate and as such belongs to us all so if you have any suggestions, wish to help or even serve on the committee please let us know. |
| Way Forward The Nature Association owes its success to a few special residents (both past and present) and it has been and is because of the dedication of these individuals that it goes from strength to strength so please continue supporting us and join in wherever you can. The Nature Association believes that it is most important that it works in harmony with management and golf for the good of all. The Dainfern Nature Association Mission Statement is: "To protect, nurture, enhance and thereby preserve the nature sensitive and interface areas, as detailed in the Dainfern Landscaping and We live on a very special Estate so let us take care that we maintain and nurture it so that it may be a joy for all for many years ahead. | |