Mr. Orban will speak at the AGM of the Green Mountain Eco Route, a Cape-based “blend of wine and biodiversity” which bills itself as “the world’s first biodiversity wine route.” It incorporates Botrivier, the Elgin Valley, Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp - the area surrounding the Groenland Mountain - and boasts wine and fruit farms, plantations, tourist attractions, accommodation, restaurants and wedding and conference venues. Its members all subscribe to the principles of conservation, sustainability and social upliftment and all belong to the local Groenlandberg Conservancy.

The concept of biodiversity encompasses all the systems and processes that allow life to continue: when biodiversity is intact, species and ecosystems remain resilient and can easily adapt to environmental changes - but when biodiversity is lost, nature responds unpredictably and its components may be destroyed.

“Dr. Paul Cluver - of Paul Cluver Wines near Grabouw - was one of our guests on the Oyster Catcher Trail,” said Mr. Orban. “His estate is a member of Green Mountain and it was he who arranged my invitation.

“They’re trying to set up a trail of their own and I’ll be talking about how the Oyster Catcher Trail works, it’s value as an educational resource, its pros and cons and how to make a hiking trail succeed.

“I’ll be speaking about how we focus on the endangered African black oyster catcher and of how using this one species as an example has benefited the total ecology of our area.

“In their case, Green Mountain has agriculture, forestry and, of course, the fynbos (the Cape’s unique floral kingdom) and I’ll be looking at how they can put this all together without detracting from their livelihoods using examples from our experience on the Oyster Catcher Trail. For instance I’ll be looking at how the negative impact of the golf estate which touches on our trail could have been lessened or avoided.”

Mr. Orban said that walking trails are important as tourism attractions - but even more important as educators for biodiversity. “You can only truly experience nature if you walk,” he said. “Sure you’ll see the beauty if you drive through it or fly over it - but you have to put your feet in the sand to truly appreciate it.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s marketing manager, Debra Bouwer, said that the Oyster Catcher Trail - a four-day walk from Cape St Blaise in Mossel Bay to the Gouritz River with accommodation in luxury guest houses along the way - was one of the area’s icon attractions. “It’s been named amongst the top thirty trails in the world and continues to receive attention from the international media.

“Fred is a committed and passionate advocate for environmental protection and his Trail is the most visible result of his efforts.

“Proud Mossel Bay - which is Mossel Bay Tourism’s campaign to raise awareness of the town’s achievements amongst its residents - is very proud that he’s one of us and that he’s been asked to spread the word and share his knowledge with people who are obviously well placed in both tourism and agriculture.

“It goes to show that, once again, Mossel Bay is leading from the front.”

More information:
Oyster Catcher Trail www.oystercatchertrail.co.za;
Mossel Bay Tourism www.visitmosselbay.co.za.

Mossel Bay Tourism Member's Newsflash

More information:
Debra Bouwer - Marketing Manager, Mossel Bay Tourism
marketing@visitmosselbay.co.za
Tel: +27(0)44 691 2202
PO Box 1556
Mossel Bay,
6500
Republic of South Africa

www.visitmosselbay.co.za