BotSoc Kirstenbosch

09/06/2026

Exciting News! 📚 Our BOOK LAUNCH is just around the corner and we can't wait to share it with you!

🎉 Reserve your seat now and be among the first to experience the magic of our new book! 👉: https://loom.ly/J0V3JWY.

As a special treat, don't forget to get your exclusive 15% discount from our bookshop staff on the night📖️

08/06/2026

Come join us on 09 June 2026 for the Bird Walk at Kirstenbosch Garden. 🦜

📷: Pictures courtesy of the Kirstenbosch Photography page.

31/05/2026

Join us as we walk Chapman’s Peak circuit.

Date: Sunday 7 June

Time: Meet at 8.30am
Duration: 4 hours, this walk is reasonably strenuous
Meet: at the East Fort to organise cars
Bring: A jacket, hat, sunscreen, lots of water and refreshments for a tea stop.
For more information, please contact Dirk Muller (082 779 5855)

Walk will be cancelled in the event of poor weather.

29/05/2026

Join us as we walk Chapman’s Peak circuit.

Date: Sunday 7 June

Time: Meet at 8.30am
Duration: 4 hours, this walk is reasonably strenuous
Meet: at the East Fort to organise cars
Bring: A jacket, hat, sunscreen, lots of water and refreshments for a tea stop.
For more information, please contact Dirk Muller (082 779 5855)

Walk will be cancelled in the event of poor weather.

29/05/2026

🌿 A Heartfelt Thank You! 🌿
We are incredibly proud of Mmei Matjuda, who completed the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in an amazing time of 03:32:21 while raising R10,450 for this campaign! 🎉🏃‍♂️
Because of your generous support, learners will now have the opportunity to enjoy an inspiring educational visit to Kirstenbosch—an experience that will stay with them for years to come. 🌱
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every donor and supporter who made this possible. 💚

On behalf of the branch and the Ingcungcu Sunbird Restoration Project, we truly appreciate your kindness and belief in this cause.
Together, we are making a difference—one step, one contribution, one future at a time. ✨

27/05/2026

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF BOT SOC SA - KIRSTENBOSCH BRANCH

You are warmly invited to attend the Branch Annual General Meeting which will take place on Saturday, 20 June at 10:00 via Zoom.

All members are encouraged to attend!

Please register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/imOgmFA-Q_WwtAyM7wDIbQ

AGM Documentation will be available on our branch website shortly.

The meeting will be facilitated by Vetlink, our trusted virtual meeting host.

We extend our sincere thanks to standing Committee Member Mmei Matjuda for five years of dedicated service to the Branch and congratulate Mmei for his exceptional run this past Sunday in support of our BackaBuddy campaign. A beautiful example of voluntary service in support of plant conservation. Together we strive to know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa’s unique and indigenous flora – and enable others to do the same.

Our BackaBuddy is still live, visit here to donate: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sanlam-cape-town-marathon-plant-protector

25/05/2026

VOICE OF THE VOLUNTEER THIS MONTH: PAMELA KNIPE
We caught up with Pam on her experience volunteering with us for nearly 20 years!
Read about her story below👇

“In 2004 I retired from Victoria Hospital in Wynberg where I had worked as a radiographer for over 30 years. It was time for something new.

I had been visiting Kirstenbosch gardens since 1967 and have been hiking all over the Western Cape mountains at every opportunity since 1990 where I developed a love for the Natural world and a passion for the Fynbos, photography and birding.
When I heard that I could do a two-year training course to become a volunteer guide at Kirstenbosch Gardens, I couldn’t wait to start! So I started the course and received my gold badge from the legendary Dot Malan in 2008.

My main reason for volunteering was to share my passion with visitors to the garden and to learn something new every day as the seasons change.
I have been taking many ‘themed ‘walks over the years.
The Dinosaur walk (with the children)
The Firefly walk in October / November
The Winter wonder tours with children in the Winter holidays.
Additionally, I have taken special guided tours with visitors from Kew Gardens and the gardens in Australia to mention just a few..

It has been wonderful and the highlight of my retirement years.
I have learnt so much from people from all over the world and at the same time you stay fit as our uniquely beautiful garden is on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
I would recommend volunteering at Kirstenbosch Gardens to anyone who loves nature.”

For more information on the Kirstenbosch Volunteer Programme, please contact [email protected]

25/05/2026

🌿 Public Lecture 🌿
In Celebration of World Environment Day 2026

Climate Action: Trees, Conservation & Urban Resilience
Join us for a special evening with two leading voices in tree conservation and urban forestry:

🎤Francois Krige — Arborist and tree-care specialist with deep experience in preserving trees across urban and cultivated landscapes. Francois brings a grounded, practical perspective on how trees can be protected and managed amid environmental stress — and what climate resilience really looks like on the ground.
🎤Clare Burgess — Landscape architect and champion of heritage tree protection. Clare's work with the Tree Keepers Society has been instrumental in advancing urban forestry initiatives, from tree planting to long-term conservation efforts.

📅 Thursday, 4 June 2026
💰R60 per person
🕐 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Old Mutual Conference Centre, Kirstenbosch

🎟️ Book through Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/335997-public-lecture-in-celebration-of-world-environment-day/

Whether you're passionate about conservation, curious about urban greening, or simply love trees — this is an evening not to be missed.
All welcome. Bring a friend! 🌳

22/05/2026

Today, 22 May marks the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB)— a global celebration of the incredible variety of life on Earth and a reminder of how important it is to protect it. 🌍
To celebrate, the iNaturalist is inviting you to take part in a special project running from 15–31 May! 📸🌱🐞

👉 Join the project and share your observations of plants, animals, fungi, and more. Every record you upload contributes to a real, global snapshot of biodiversity.

🌼 Why it matters:
The IDB is linked to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which supports global efforts to protect ecosystems, reduce species loss, and ensure nature benefits everyone. By contributing to iNaturalist, you’re helping provide valuable data that supports conservation efforts worldwide.

📌 How to get involved:
Sign up at 👉 www.inaturalist.org
Join the project. Start documenting the amazing species you encounter!

Let’s showcase the rich biodiversity of our Kirstenbosch community and make every observation count! 💚
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iNaturalist is a social network for naturalists! Record your observations of plants and animals, share them with friends and researchers, and learn about the natural world.