What is a Conservancy?
A Conservancy is defined as "the voluntary association between land owners/users to manage their properties in an environmentally friendly manner without changing the land use."
The two conditions for establishing a Conservancy are therefore that
1. "the
area be co-operatively managed by the community". The primary aim of Thorntree Conservancy is conservation and management. The Conservancy can
benefit the residents of Walker's Fruit Farms by supplying advice in order to
improve our natural environment, resulting in more profitable properties and
healthier surroundings. Healthy surroundings will also make the area more
attractive to visitors and increase the value of properties.
2. "that
this Conservancy be registered as such with the Department of Nature
Conservation, Gauteng (which we are). The Department will not interfere
with the running of the Conservancy, but are there in a purely supportive and
advisory capacity. In the same vein, the Conservancy will not interfere
with the running of individual plots or farms, but will assist Conservancy
members who request information regarding environmentally friendly farming
methods, the burning of firebreaks, control of invader plants, etc. We
want this Conservancy to succeed and will not alienate members by either giving
bad advice or by prescribing how they should run their business.
Presently
the Conservancy has a very active committee and membership base, but would
ultimately like the support of ALL the members of the community. We need
to have a strong voice in order to protect our area from threats to the
environment and community.
Show your support by becoming a member and taking an active part in the running and activities of the Conservancy. If we all look after what we have in this beautiful area, we will all benefit.