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nirvanafynbos@gmail.com
Erica mammosa
Lobelia linearis
One of the last remaining pieces of Atlantis Sandveld (sand-plain) fynbos is to be found on Nirvana Farm.

In 2009 we became the first ever private landowners to lobby the City of Cape Town to form an Environmental Management Partnership or Conservation Stewardship Agreement with the aim of protecting this rare flora in perpetuity. We try hard to remain true to our role as custodians of the last remaining example of naturally-occurring Atlantis Sandveld fynbos in the world – a product of 71 million years of evolution.

Fynbos is famous not only for the diversity of its plant species but also the sheer beauty of its wildflowers which burst forth in Spring (September – October). It has one of the richest floras of the six floral kingdoms of the world – more than 9000 species in an area of 42 000 km2 – which are found nowhere else on Earth. It is also one of the most critical biological hotspots in the world. Cape fynbos is also characterized by exceptionally high numbers of highly localized species – including some that are restricted to areas as little as 1 km2.

Worldwide, more than a tenth of plant species are endangered, on a relatively small landmass. In the Cape, more than one-third of the species are endangered.

Sandveld fynbos was once found along the West Coast almost up to the Namibian border. Only about 1% of the original habitat of Atlantis Sandveld Fynbos remains conserved.

At least 84 Red Data Book Plant species occur in this vegetation type within the boundaries of the metropolis and are in danger of extinction… The area between Milnerton and Malmesbury must rank as one of the world's hottest spots for the loss of plant biodiversity. Tony Rebelo, in Vegetation of South Africa.


The greatest threats to Sandveld fynbos are unsustainable land-use and the encroachment of introduced alien vegetation, notably Port Jackson, Australian Myrtle, Wattle (and hakea, rooikrans, bluegum and pine).  As we continue to rehabilitate the conservation area, we are constantly discovering more rare and beautiful species on the brink of extinction.
 
To date more then 180 species have been identified with more than 30 appearing on the red-data list, which makes this site internationally significant for conservation.

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Serruria Aemula
Watsonia meriana
Morea
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City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management
Custodians of Rare & Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Friends of Tygerberg
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