Glen Austin ConservancyGlen Austin is the home to the endangered African Giant Bullfrog and other rare species of animal, bird and flora. Due to its environmental value and resources, Glen Austin has been declared a conservancy. We are passionate about maintaining the rural flavour of Glen Austin, which includes our flora and fauna. The power of the conservancy is substantial and developments have been sidetracked because of the bullfrog and other sensitive species.
Another task that the conservancy has taken upon itself it to clean up Glen Austin. Once a month, often the 3rd Saturday of the month, volunteers get together to clean up an area in Glen Austin. The area is chosen by the community. We really can use your help! Make sure you are on one of our WhatsApp groups so that you can be informed of future dates. The Conservancy (Thanks to Judy Bird's hard work) also has organised a Cake competition and the Potjiekos Competition.
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In general terms, the Midrand area is typical Highveld, a landscape characterised by gently sloping plains, separated by relatively deep valleys carved out by the Jukskei River, Kaalspruit, Olifantspruit, Modderfontein Spruit and smaller watercourses. At places there are ensembles of large granite boulders, rocky outcrops and hillocks. Except where human settlement has occurred, the plains are generally treeless. Clumps of vegetation occur at many outcrops and hillocks, and the vegetation is more dense in the river valleys. Learn more about how to attract wildlife into your garden
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The conservancy also strives to keep Glen Austin indigenous and will assist in identifying undesirable alien plants (as listed by the Department of Water Affairs), e.g. Bluegum, Black Wattle, Tipiana, Poplar (various), Jacaranda, which should ideally be removed and replaced with indigenous plants. Follow this link for information on how to identify alien plants.
Nestled in the heart of Gauteng, Glen Austin is one of the few remaining green lungs in our densely populated province. As recently as the 1970’s, Glen Austin was entirely farmland owned by only a handful of farmers. It is still home to a large farm which has been opened to the community, with walking/running trails, obstacle courses, cycling trails and a monthly farmer's market. However, subdivision of properties and development have negatively impacted the natural heritage and resources.
To access our library of documents relating to the Conservancy or to environmental matters, follow this link.
We also have a series of great articles in our GARAnews section. Click on the category: Maria's Conservancy Corner for articles about flora. fauna and all things living.
Threats to our environment:
We urge all in Glen Austin to take cognisance of the fact that we have built our homes in the heart of an ancient habitat, used for thousands of years by these creatures. It is our role to respect this and start to co-exist with nature.
You can help us preserve our environment, heritage and natural resources by:
Are you planning to buy or sell a property?
The National Environmental Management: Biosecurity Act (NEMBA),2004 (Act no. 10 of 2004) came into affect on the 1 October 2014 and has implications for property owners. There are a number of Plants, Animals, Birds, Insects, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fresh water Fish and Fresh water Plant Species that need to be removed, controlled, documented and some require permits. There are 4 categories of species that must be managed, controlled or eradicated from areas in which they can cause harm to the environment.
Should you need to sell your property, before the signing of sale agreement and at the same time as you need an electrical compliance certificate, you will need a Declaration Form done by an Invasive Species Consultant. A copy of this Declaration Form will be given to the Registrar of Deeds, the New Homeowner and a copy will be sent to The Department of Environmental Affairs in Cape Town. In order to obtain this document, you may need to consult a qualified, registered Invasive Species Consultant.
The provisions of the act that specifically affect homeowners are:
Chapter 5, Part 2, Section 73 (2)
Chapter 7, Section 29 (1), (2) and (3)
Nestled in the heart of Gauteng, Glen Austin is one of the few remaining green lungs in our densely populated province. As recently as the 1970’s, Glen Austin was entirely farmland owned by only a handful of farmers. It is still home to a large farm which has been opened to the community, with walking/running trails, obstacle courses, cycling trails and a monthly farmer's market. However, subdivision of properties and development have negatively impacted the natural heritage and resources.
To access our library of documents relating to the Conservancy or to environmental matters, follow this link.
We also have a series of great articles in our GARAnews section. Click on the category: Maria's Conservancy Corner for articles about flora. fauna and all things living.
Threats to our environment:
- Development plans from the Ekurhuleni Municipality for open farmland (the Strydom Farm) on the eastern border of the pan;
- Developments such as the Inter Waste dump site on Olifantsfontein Road, which are polluting the air, environment and water table;
- Illegal Dumping: for years illegal dumping has occurred on the land, with little to no law enforcement. During the rainy season, poisonous parts from batteries, motor oil, varnish, paints, etc. seep into the pan and into the borehole drinking water;
- Illegal hunting with dogs on the open farmland;
- Drainage and embanked plots have altered the natural flow of the water;
- Roads around the pan have no speed restriction and endanger adult and juvenile frogs during the breeding season;
- Uncontrolled development on the agricultural holdings and industrial businesses abound in the vicinity of the Bullfrog Pan;
- Electrical fencing, razor wires and walls restrict the natural migration routes;
- Invasion of alien vegetation such as the Wattle, Prickly Pears, Silver Leaf Bitter Apple, Creeping Milkweed, Purple Top, Pom-Pom Weed and a host of water weeds;
- Burning and unsolicited cutting of the surrounding grassland during hibernation.
We urge all in Glen Austin to take cognisance of the fact that we have built our homes in the heart of an ancient habitat, used for thousands of years by these creatures. It is our role to respect this and start to co-exist with nature.
You can help us preserve our environment, heritage and natural resources by:
- Reporting illegal dumping trucks;
- Participating in neighbourhood clean-up days;
- Report water misuse, pollution and abuse in the area (lots of properties are dependent on boreholes for their water supply);
- Report illegal land filling, illegal businesses and illegal hunting;
- Drive slowly and carefully during the rainy (breeding) season to avoid killing or injuring the Giant Bullfrogs;
- Plant indigenous plants and support the many local indigenous nurseries in Glen Austin;
- Join the Glen Austin Conservancy for only R70 per annum;
- Replace harmful chemicals with environmentally friendly products so that you have minimal impact on the environment.
Are you planning to buy or sell a property?
The National Environmental Management: Biosecurity Act (NEMBA),2004 (Act no. 10 of 2004) came into affect on the 1 October 2014 and has implications for property owners. There are a number of Plants, Animals, Birds, Insects, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fresh water Fish and Fresh water Plant Species that need to be removed, controlled, documented and some require permits. There are 4 categories of species that must be managed, controlled or eradicated from areas in which they can cause harm to the environment.
Should you need to sell your property, before the signing of sale agreement and at the same time as you need an electrical compliance certificate, you will need a Declaration Form done by an Invasive Species Consultant. A copy of this Declaration Form will be given to the Registrar of Deeds, the New Homeowner and a copy will be sent to The Department of Environmental Affairs in Cape Town. In order to obtain this document, you may need to consult a qualified, registered Invasive Species Consultant.
The provisions of the act that specifically affect homeowners are:
Chapter 5, Part 2, Section 73 (2)
Chapter 7, Section 29 (1), (2) and (3)