Through the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund, SANParks, with the help of the SHR, constructed a second, larger 300 square metre greenhouse facility. Construction began in August 2023, and the tunnel was ready for use by the end of March 2024. It was named the WWF Collections House in honour of the WWF’s contribution to this project. The Arid Region of the SHR was tasked with assisting with the project. Members of the region have helped SANParks to prepare the plants for planting in the new tunnel. The Midrand Region donated 3 000 potting trays for potting 12 000 seedlings. Members from various regions assisted SANParks to plant seedlings and collect cuttings and seeds in July 2023. Helping to prevent plant extinctions in the Richtersveld The Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Desert Botanical Garden Nursery plays an extremely important role in mitigating threats to the flora in the surrounding area. Highly vulnerable and rare plant species have been disappearing in the Richtersveld at an alarming rate. Threats are due to illegal plant collecting, climate change and habitat loss. The nursery was established to conserve these plants in open gardens and a greenhouse. The original greenhouse hosts hundreds of plant species, four of which are now extinct in the wild. SHRs and SANParks Staff preparing for a day of planting seedlings. The new WWF Collections House. 104 SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 CONSERVING PLANTS IN THE RICHTERSVELD NATIONAL PARK Members’ activities continued
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