Help Save The Elephants' Home

We are pleased to report that our land rehabilitation efforts on the reserve are progressing well. Following our long-awaited first rains, we're beginning to see the early signs of growth in the areas we have worked on. The planted wild grass seeds are starting to take root, contributing to the rejuvenation of the land.

Berms and Hollows

Over the past few months, we have been constructing half-moon-shaped berms in areas where vegetation was previously sparse. These berms are filled with thorny branches, homemade elephant dung compost, and grass seeds. The primary purpose of these berms is to prevent soil erosion by reducing water runoff. The hollows formed by the berms help trap water and organic matter, creating a favourable environment for grass to grow and stabilize the soil. We have successfully completed 200 square meters of this work. Once the rains have nourished the grass, we expect to see a significant improvement in the area's stability and overall health.

Geojute Application

We are also trialling the use of Geojute fabric as a means of stabilising steep embankments prone to erosion. Geojute is a biodegradable material that is rolled out over the embankments, where grass seeds are planted beneath it. This fabric helps to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place. As the grass grows through the material, it forms a solid foundation. Over time, the Geojute breaks down, contributing to the creation of more biomass and further stabilizing the embankment.

Brushpacking

Brushpacking continues to be an effective technique for rehabilitating areas affected by erosion. We have used this method successfully in several areas of the reserve over the years. Currently, we are applying brushpacking to stabilise a dam wall that was washed away several years ago, which we recently rebuilt. By combining brushpacking with the Geojute fabric, we are seeing positive results. Following the rain a few weeks ago, we are observing new grass shoots emerging through the Geojute material. These new shoots will help bind the soil, and over time, they will create a stable, vegetated area that will prevent further erosion.

In summary, the combined use of berms, Geojute fabric, and brushpacking is an effective strategy for land rehabilitation on the reserve. We are encouraged by the progress so far and optimistic about the long-term benefits these projects will bring to the landscape.

Discover more in this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDDQ3GsVaok and blog: https://herd.org.za/blog/bana-grass-land-restoration-solar-power-a-look-at-our-progress/

To all those who have donated to this vital project, thank you for helping the herd and other wildlife in this important way. Ensuring that their home can look after them now and long into the future is a vital part of our mission to benefit all the species sharing our home with us.

Warm wishes,

The HERD Team

We are happy to report back on our land restoration project at HERD Trust.

The land rehabilitation is going well on the reserve, and most of the projects are showing good progress. However, it is our dry season, so regrowth is hard to visualize. We are waiting for the rain to come in November and are preparing some areas for the coming wet season, so after the first rains, we will have some good images as to how the methods we have implemented have been effective.

RIPPING OF OPEN AREAS.

We are continuing to break up areas that are compacted and bare of vegetation, packing them with our own compost and branches to stabilize the ground for the coming rains. Breaking up the soil prevents the rain from running over the ground, which will penetrate the ground, cause regrowth in these areas, and stabilise the ground.

GULLIE PLUGS

As per all the above, we have lots of these in place and are waiting for the rains. These are made in eroded areas and small gullies to build up organic matter in these ditches, which will then build back up into erosion ditches and stabilise the soil.

BRUSHPACKING

This is a good example of how an area void of vegetation can be slowly rehabilitated. First, we dig up the compacted ground, then plant wild grass seeds, and finally, we place a layer of our very own elephant dung on top. Lastly, we pack the entire area with thorny branches to stop herbivores from eating the grass while it is establishing itself. Over time, the branches will decompose and create nutrition for the soil as well, and the grass will start to spread.

To all those who have donated to this vital project, thank you for helping the herd and other wildlife in this important way. Ensuring that their home can look after them now and long into the future is a vital part of our mission for the benefit of all the species sharing our home with us.

Warm wishes,

Adine and the HERD Team