VERMONT CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (SA)
Ensuring Harmony
with Our Environment
For Vermont, a suburb of Hermanus in the Western Cape of South Africa, nature has always been valued. The suburb was designed around greenbelts, in which nature continues to thrive in harmony with those living here. At the heart of Vermont is a critically threatened saltpan – a home for phenomenal birdlife. The green spaces among the houses and along the coast are filled with fynbos plants you’ll find nowhere else on Earth. And hidden in these greenbelts and in the blue ocean you’ll find wildlife in desperate need of protection.
READ MORE About The Area and The History of Vermont
That’s why, for the people of Vermont, it’s crucial to
ensure harmony with our environment.
VERMONT’S
nature in numbers
- Reserved for greenbelts 22%
fynbos vegetation types
BIRD SPECIES
ha saltpan
A community comes together
The Vermont Conservation Foundation (SA) is a registered non-profit organisation composed primarily of Vermont residents. This nature-loving collective operates under a co-management agreement with the Environmental Management Services section of the Overstrand Municipality, in collaboration with other environmental organisations, to conserve Vermont’s natural environment. Our mission is to raise awareness about the local natural environment, encouraging greater care for our plants and animals and preserving the area’s ecological integrity. We identify risks and threats to the environment and raise funds for projects that safeguard our natural environment.
The Vermont Ratepayers and Environmental Association (VREA) were ... READ MORE HERE
The Vermont Ratepayers and Environmental Association (VREA) were instrumental in facilitating the formation of the Vermont Conservation Trust (VCT) in 2003. The VCT Trustees worked for the restoration and protection of the integrated environmental corridors (Greenbelts) of Vermont until 2023. Thereafter the Vermont Conservation Foundation was established as a more relevant legally recognised body.
In 1993 the Vermont Dune Stabilisation Fund (VDSF) was established after a grant was received from the Department of Local Government.
This was originally to rehabilitate and stabilise the coastal areas and dunes and for the creation and maintenance of open areas (parks). This was done with the extension of the new residential development in the western part of Vermont. From 1994 the fund was managed by the Greater Hermanus Municipality. Until 2006 the fund was used for small conservation projects related to parks, the coastal zone and dune areas in Vermont.
During 2001 the Vermont Environmental Management Plan was funded and submitted to council. During 2003 the documents for the formation of VCT was signed and Vermont Conservation Trust (VCT) was fully established in 2003.
In 2006 the Overstrand Municipality (OM) transferred R 188,248 from the balance of the unspent Vermont Dune Stabilisation Fund, to the VCT.
The Overstrand Municipality made a grant-in-aid available to Vermont Conservation Trust (VCT) in 2013 to facilitate the compilation of an Integrated Management Plan for the Vermont Green Belt System (VGBS) that includes municipal and state land. Duncan Heard Environmental Consulting was appointed by the VCT to undertake this assignment.
The purpose of the IMP (Integrated Management Plan) was to provide an iterative five-year management plan. It was compiled in close collaboration with stakeholders, the Vermont Ratepayers and Environment Association, Vermont Conservation Trust, the Environmental Management Section of the Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature. The IMP will provide a management policy framework for the Green Belts of Vermont aligned with its stated Management Objectives and Policies. It will guide the ongoing management of the Green Belts, prioritise operational and project management and where applicable inform budget estimates. This document will also be subject to public participation from time to time. The final version will be endorsed by the Overstrand Municipality.
The public participation and final adoption of the IMP by the OM has to date never been completed, for a variety of reasons. The Overstrand Municipality has repeatedly confirmed that they do not have the funds budgeted to allow the IMP to be finalised, nor to assist directly with funding in terms of our objectives.
The intention of the trust was for the registered trustees to regulate the use of vested funds for the preservation of the Greenbelts but in the absence of a quorum of original trustees, many of which retired or relocated, this was no longer practical and was complicated during Covid times. With the Trust having been registered in Pretoria it made any attempts to resolve matters and appoint new trustees very complicated.
The committee was advised to convert to a fully registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), which better suited the needs of the Environmental body. This was a long and exhausting process but was achieved in November 2022.
The organisation previously known as The Vermont Conservation Trust then become THE VERMONT CONSERVATION FOUNDATION SOUTH AFRICA (VCFSA) a registered Non-Profit Organisation: 284-429 NPO.
Recently the OM has supplied the labour from the Environmental Management Services (EMS) to control invasive alien vegetation, remove waste, clear waterways, repair damaged boardwalks and co-operate with VCFSA on environmental matters. This is despite huge budget cuts after the September 2023 floods and resulting damage and repairs to the De Bos pipeline, roads, sewer, electricity, trees and rivers infrastructure.
The success of such activities is dependent upon continued voluntary community involvement. In this regard new members are needed to assist, ranging from Board level, administrative, observers, function organisers, project supervision, communication and alien vegetation hackers.
Reach
24 ha
of invasive alien plants cleared
2.2 km
of coastal paths created & maintained
1 500
memorial tiles placed on pathways
Why are we worried?
Vermont’s natural spaces must be protected against the constant, and growing threats.
These include:
- Invasive alien vegetation infestation
- Ecological disturbances
- No statutory conservation protection
- No dedicated conservation funding
- Lack of knowledge about Vermont’s nature
Our projects & activities
We host a number of projects to address these threats. Our projects also serve as an opportunity to bring the residents of Vermont together to enjoy fun activities, while bringing about a healthier, protected Vermont.
Hacking get-togethers
Our Friends group meets for regular invasive alien clearing hacks in the area.
Brekfis (Breakfast) Bay
The only beach in Vermont and an extension of the Greenbelt, where invasive alien clearing takes place.
Sponsor a tile
We support the initiative to raise funds for path maintenance to place life celebratory tiles.
Growing our circle
We host events, get-togethers and activities to showcase Vermont’s nature.
Monitoring transgressions
We work with authorities and residents to deal with illegal activities impacting Greenbelts.
A clean Vermont
We alert authorities to deal with dumping and littering in Vermont for a clean Greenbelt.