Need to know
The basics
Ferncliffe is a registered Not for Profit Company (number 255-924 NPO), based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Your donation in South Africa is tax deductible: We are registered as a Public Benefit Organisation, number 93 007 2645, and can issue Section 18A tax certificates on request for SA donors. We have also been verified by Charities Aid Foundation America. Please contact us should you wish to contribute via this channel.
Ferncliffe forest wilding was launched on 4 August 2021 by Connor Cullinan and Janine Stephen. Connor is a fine artist who grew up right next door to the reserve, and Janine is a freelance journalist. Besides art and words, we spend all our time in nature.
Our directors are EFTEON biodiversity technician Sachin Doarsamy, environmental consultant Brandon McGugan, and Connor Cullinan. We are grateful for the advice, help and enthusiasm shared by botanist Michele Hofmeyr during our start-up phase.
The status of the nature reserve
Ferncliffe is a municipal nature reserve and green belt, but despite its biodiversity, rich ecological systems, and importance as a catchment area, it has not been legally proclaimed as such. A decision to proclaim it a Protected Environment has been taken by the municipality and various groups are working with the authorities to effect this. A biodiversity site assessment was held in September 2021 as part of this process. A boundary survey is still to be completed. Other long-term stakeholders in the Reserve include Wildlands, A Rocha, local mountain biking clubs and University of KwaZulu-Natal researchers. We’ll work together where possible.
Thanks
Thabane Khoza and Fikile Zwane at the Msunduzi Municipality have provided us with guidance and help. Thank you.
Ferncliffe forest wilding is touched by the generosity of the team at Indevaldi, who offered us accounting services largely pro bono for six months. Also giving so much more than we could have expected is Stiaan Smit of Atlas, who made our lovely website. Thank you for all you did.
David Southwood’s exceptional skills are responsible for most of the key visual and drone images.
Ecologist Vanessa Stephen has given generously in terms of her time, contacts, amazing photographs, and knowledge.
Other generous experts and nature lovers have also shared images or other knowledge (many know Ferncliffe!): Ingrid Weiersbye, Hugh Chittenden, Neil Crouch, Brendan Smith, naturebackin.com, Nick Evans, and Geoff Nichols and Elsa Pooley who allowed us to use images from their publication Forest Plants in the Forest and in the Garden. Thank you!
Annual Report
Our third Annual Report (2023 – 2024) is now available. Read our second Annual Report here, and the first Annual Report here.