NURSERY & WEATHER

NURSERY & WEATHER

NURSERY

On Zuka Private Game Reserve our nursery is an important multipurpose hub:

  • For the collection of endemic seeds and creating a viable seed bank.
  • For the cultivation of rare and valuable tree species – local and wild populations need to be re-established for ecological or cultural reasons, such as wildfire or over harvesting.
  • For making large quantities of organic compost.
  • For making microbial seed balls – by collecting natural and locally sourced organic matter. These are used to improve soil health for erosion management and ecosystem restoration.

One species of particular importance in our nursery programme is the Pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris). This is an endangered species, declared locally extinct with only a few small populations found on four protected reserves, due to unsustainable harvesting methods and the high demand for its use in traditional medicine.

We are dedicated to our relationships with our neighbouring communities and the development goals of our partner Wild Impact (formerly known as Africa Foundation). Through Wild Impact’s Yes4Youth programme, our nursery is one area that has provided opportunities for employment, education and further study. In collaboration, our Pepper-bark tree project has successfully grown thousands of young trees to establish populations in our neighbouring reserves and designated community land.

Visit PROJECTS to learn more.

WEATHER

We have five weather stations across the reserve that provide us with information on wind direction, wind speed, temperatures and humidity. We receive the data every 10 minutes and apply this valuable information, along with rain gauge recordings, to landscape and habitat management.

Some restoration processes involve implementing controlled burning of vegetation, or zoning areas of the reserve where the soil will benefit from precluding off road driving and the impact of vehicles. These weather insights are extremely valuable in our restoration strategies.

WEATHER

We have five weather stations across the reserve that provide us with information on wind direction, wind speed, temperatures and humidity. We receive the data every 10 minutes and apply this valuable information, along with rain gauge recordings, to landscape and habitat management.

Some restoration processes involve implementing controlled burning of vegetation, or zoning areas of the reserve where the soil will benefit from precluding off road driving and the impact of vehicles. These weather insights are extremely valuable in our restoration strategies.