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Monday 07:00 - 18:00 Tuesday 07:00 - 18:00 Wednesday 07:00 - 18:00 Thursday 07:00 - 18:00 Friday 07:00 - 18:00 Saturday 07:00 - 18:00 Sunday 07:00 - 18:00

Friends of Van Stadens

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Friends of Van Stadens

An NPO partnering with local community and leaders to protect the biodiversity of the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve.

21/08/2026

🌸 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 🌸

Something beautiful is blooming at the Wildflower Reserve! 🌿✨

The 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 & 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲 returns on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 — and you’re invited!

📍 Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
🎟️ Free entry

Come spend the day celebrating the very best of nature, culture and community with our much-loved indigenous plant sale, Green Flag Trail Run, guided walks, tuk-tuk adventures through the fynbos, an isiXhosa cultural experience, local crafts, delicious food, kids’ activities and live entertainment. 🌸🎶

Bring the family, wander the trails, soak up the spring colour and take home a little piece of the fynbos for your garden. 🌱

🌼 More details coming soon…

Mark your calendar. Bring your people. Come celebrate spring with us! 💚

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

17/08/2026

We love when visitors take a little detour and discover another side of the Reserve — its stories, culture, history and the many opportunities to learn along the way. 🌿

Thank you for sharing your experience 💚🌸👣

15/08/2026

𝗔 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀. 🌿

A year ago, seven young women joined our 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦 (𝘊𝘐𝘗).

Over the past 12 months, they have gained hands-on experience across the Reserve — from the indigenous nursery and iNaturalist observations to welcoming visitors, leading story-led walks, clearing trails, working at the Flower House Shop and helping bring our Flower Festival to life.

As their internships come to an end, it feels especially meaningful to say goodbye during Women’s Month. A time to celebrate the strength, contribution and potential of women.

At FOVS, we believe that investing in a young woman means investing in more than an individual. The skills, confidence and experience she gains ripple into her family, her community and those who follow.

That is the heart of the CIP - a tangible bridge from potential to possibility.

To our seven interns, thank you for the work you have contributed, the footprints you have left on the Reserve and the part you have played in the FOVS story.

We hope you leave with a little piece of FOVS in your hearts, knowing you have left a little piece of yourselves behind. 💚

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

13/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱

Every day, thousands of people cross the Van Stadens Bridge without giving much thought to what lies beneath it.

But pause for a moment, and it becomes something more than a bridge.

It spans 200 metres across the Van Stadens River gorge, rising 140 metres above the valley floor, a remarkable feat of human ingenuity, built to connect two sides of a landscape that were once separated.

And perhaps that is what all great bridges do. They make it possible to cross a gap that once seemed impossible.

At FOVS, we think about bridges in much the same way as we think about our work; connecting people with nature, creating skills, evolving opportunities through conservation, and helping young people find a path from potential to possibility.

Through our 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦 (𝘊𝘐𝘗), we are building connections that reach beyond the boundaries of the Wildflower Reserve — giving young people practical work experiences, and, at the same time, helping protect one of the Eastern Cape’s most special nature reserves.

The bridge reminds us that progress begins with a willingness to cross the gap.

We invite you to explore the work we do and the programmes that make it possible. Have a look at our website via the link in our bio, follow our story, and come and visit the Wildflower Reserve.

Entry is free, and the memories invaluable!

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

11/08/2026

🌿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘆𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘀 🌿

The Hornless Purplegorse (𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘢) is currently in bloom at the Wildflower Reserve.

This low-growing, prickly little shrub belongs to the milkwort family and is perfectly at home among the diverse fynbos of the Reserve.

From spring into autumn, its branches are dotted with delicate pink, lilac and purple flowers.

Its name has a story too. Unlike many other Muraltia species, its fruits don’t have the little horns, hence the name Hornless Purplegorse.

Come take a walk, slow down and see what you can spot. 🌸

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

06/08/2026

𝗔 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿

When you next visit the Wildflower Reserve, pause beside these graceful Goldenreeds (𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢).

Belonging to the 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family, Goldenreeds are not true grasses or reeds, but part of a uniquely southern African plant family that is especially diverse in the Cape Floristic Region.

The 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢 genus includes around 37 recognised species. Growing up to 1.5 metres tall, they produce striking golden flower heads from late summer into winter, bringing warmth and movement to the fynbos.

It is thought that the name 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢 comes from the Greek 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘪𝘢, meaning “a song of lamentation”—a fitting tribute to the soft whisper of their papery stems and bracts in the breeze.

Like many fynbos plants, Goldenreeds rely entirely on the wind for pollination. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, and once pollinated, the female plants produce tiny winged seeds that drift effortlessly on the wind.

Interestingly, many of those seeds are empty. They look identical to fertile seeds, yet never grow. A botanical mystery that scientists have still not been able to explain.

The next time you wander the Reserve, listen to the Goldenreeds dancing in the wind and remember that even the quietest plants have remarkable stories to tell. 🌾💛

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

04/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

A walk through the Wildflower Reserve is always full of surprises. One of the latest to appear is the delightful strawberry everlasting (𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘶𝘮 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘮), a resilient perennial in the daisy family (𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦).

Indigenous to South Africa and found naturally in fynbos, on sandstone slopes, shrublands and grasslands, this small shrublet grows to around 50 cm tall.

Its bright pink, strawberry-like buds open into tiny yellow flowers before fading into papery white bracts that retain their shape and colour for years—earning it the name “everlasting”.

Its scientific name, 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘮, comes from the Latin word for “cat”, as the rounded flower clusters resemble a cat’s paw.

Keep your eyes on the trails…you never know what remarkable wildflower you will discover next.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

30/07/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

In the midst of winter, the first hints of spring are beginning to emerge.

One of the season’s earliest blooms is the beautiful Felicia (𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴) with its pastel petals and sunny yellow centre.

Indigenous to South Africa’s coastal regions, this cheerful wildflower thrives in fynbos and coastal scrub.

A member of the daisy family (𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦) the Felicia keeps its flowers open through the night, unlike most of its daisy relatives.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

24/07/2026

🎨 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 | 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗺: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀

There is something special about gathering beneath the canopy of tall, old trees. For generations, they have offered places for conversation, creativity, quiet reflection and meaningful connection.

This September, the Arboretum at the Wildflower Reserve will become home to 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗺, an inaugural exhibition taking place as part of the annual Van Stadens Flower Festival.

This year’s theme, 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀, invites artists to explore the relationship between people, nature and community through works inspired by biodiversity, belonging, heritage, ecology, ritual, or our connection with the natural world.

Artists working in all physical visual media are encouraged to apply, with sculptural works especially welcome.

✨ There is no application fee and no exhibition fee.

📅 Submissions close 24 August 2026

📧 Submit your application to: [email protected]

This is the beginning of something new for the Arboretum. We hope you’ll join us in filling this beautiful space with creativity, conversation and art inspired by the natural world.

NelsonMandelaUniversity
Botanical Society of SA
Erin Smith

23/07/2026

𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗮

Mandela Day came a little early at Oosteland Children’s Home.

On Friday, 17 July, the partners who work together to protect the biodiversity of the Wildflower Reserve came together to honour Madiba’s legacy through service.

Teams from NMBM Environmental Management, FOVS and Working on Fire (WoF) spent the morning tending gardens, mowing lawns, planting White Ironwood trees and helping create a welcoming outdoor space for the 104 children who call Oosteland home.

Their warm smiles and heartfelt thank you were a gentle reminder that even the simplest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Madiba reminded us that each of us has the power to make a positive difference. Whether caring for our natural environment or supporting the wellbeing of children, every act of service helps build a more hopeful future.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time, compassion and energy. Together, we shared far more than 67 minutes—we honoured Madiba’s legacy through kindness, service and care.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

Address

Port Elizabeth

Opening Hours

Monday	07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 18:00
Thursday	07:00 - 18:00
Friday	07:00 - 18:00
Saturday	07:00 - 18:00
Sunday	07:00 - 18:00

Website

http://www.fovs.co.za/

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