Conservation

The Helderberg Residents’ Action Association is a member of the Helderberg Conservation Forum and we actively support the objectives of this forum.

The Helderberg Conservation Forum (HCF) is an association of persons and organisations interested in environmental conservation and improvement in the Helderberg Basin. Its aims are to promote integrated environmental management through the coordinated involvement of all interested and affected community groups.

The HCF campaigns for the practical application of conservation principles in the planning and development of any activities that have an impact on our environment.

Typically this involves the review of planning and usage of land for residential developments, farming practices, water resources and industrial activity. HCF members have the opportunity to respond with one voice to issues raised in planning applications and Environmental impact assessments. The HCF aims to work co-operatively with farming estates to assist them to conserve the remaining areas of natural vegetation on farmlands that are so vital to our landscape.

Membership of the forum is open to any organisation interested in nature conservation and our natural and built environments. Individuals interested in supporting the campaigning for environmental protection and preservation of bio diversity are also welcome to join.

 

Helderberg Conservation Forum supporters feel that the Forum has a vital role to play in assisting its members to share their concerns for conservation matters with like-minded groups. The HCF recognizes a need for effective interfacing with local government planning and conservation bodies to help find solutions to environmental issues that are affecting us all.

The Helderberg Conservation Forum is closely associated with the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve and regular forum meetings are held in the Environmental Education Centre in the Helderberg Nature reserve.

  • What is the Helderberg Conservation Forum?
    • It’s a society for persons who are interested in seeing that the natural environment of the Helderberg area is protected and improved as development occurs.
    • Helderberg Conservation Forum members represent a range of existing local societies who wish to share ideas and responses on areas of common interest.
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum supports conservation of natural areas and restoration of damaged land.
    • Where building developments are needed the Helderberg Conservation Forum is keen to see that they fit into the natural environment in the best possible ways.
  • What does the Helderberg Conservation Forum do?
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum provides a forum for exchanging knowledge of matters affecting conservation and our local environment.
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum can offer joint representation to local authorities on environmental issues and offer feedback on EIAs.
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum has a watchdog role regarding developments in our area that may affect the environment.
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum seeks to develop a background of knowledge and resources that can made available for specific issues.
    • The Helderberg Conservation Forum supports environmental ethics and seeks to develop adult education programmes.
  • What sort of subjects do the Helderberg Conservation Forum cover? Our current topics list has several subjects of interest or concern.
    For example:

    • Lourens river catchment area environmental protection issues.
    • Conversion of land use to residential, resorts and other uses.
    • Coastal strip conservation.
    • Protection of wetlands
    • Loss of fynbos environments.
    • Building developments on high mountain slopes.

Helderberg Conservation Forum member organizations:
Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve, Helderberg Residents Action Association, Helderberg Tourism Bureau, Lourens River Conservation Society, Schapenberg-Sir Lowry’s Pass Conservancy, Sir Lowry’s Pass Tourism Initiative, Somerset West Bird Club, Wildlife & Environmental Society of SA.

Environmental Impact Assessments:
The Helderberg Conservation Forum subscribes to the Environmental Impact Assessment criteria (Canter, 1996; IAP2, 2002), of consultation, involvement, collaboration and empowerment of stakeholders in the decision-making process.

This is acheived by:

  • Raising awareness, educating and increasing understanding between stakeholders (a two-way information exchange).
  • Assisting in the identification of key issues of concern that need to be considered.
  • Raising a diversity of opinions and perspectives and obtaining a balanced perspective of key issues.
  • Identifying common interests and opportunities for meeting these.
  • Identifying sources of information and the knowledge of local and other stakeholders.
  • Learning from the knowledge and understanding of the environment of local and other stakeholders.
  • Commenting on the findings of technical studies.
  • Identifying reasonable alternatives.
  • Managing and minimizing conflict.
  • Identifying creative solutions to problems or deadlocks.
  • Informing and improving decision-making.
  • Ensuring greater credibility and legitimacy in the decision-making process.
  • Establishing trust and cooperation.
  • Generating a sense of joint responsibility and ownership for the environment.
  • Assisting in the review and monitoring of activities that may negatively affect the environment.
  • Contributing to the development of appropriate policy, legislation and regulations.
  • Promoting democracy.

For more information on the Helderberg Conservation Forum contact David Macdonald at: «Contact David»