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Look at all the hard work you have made possible for the elephants’ home!
We have completed replanting one row of bana grass and are waiting for the fertilisers to be ready so we can start on the second row. After this, we will have four more rows to replant until we finish replanting the entire plantation.
200 Hollows
In the video below, you can see the hollows we have built across part of the bush. These C-shaped hollows are dug using a tractor, grader and earth-moving equipment. These slow down the speed of run-off water during the rainy season and retain that water within the restored area. This retained water will be re-absorbed into the soil instead of being lost as surface run-off. Increased soil moisture helps seed germination and growth of ground coverage. After the hollows were made, they were densely covered with thorn tree branches to protect the soil. We have completed 200 square meters of this work. The planted wild grass seeds are starting to take root, contributing to the rejuvenation of the land. Once the rains have nourished the grass, we expect to significantly improve the area’s stability and overall health.
Geojute Application
We are also trialling the use of Geojute fabric to stabilise steep embankments prone to erosion. Geojute is a biodegradable material rolled out over the embankments, where grass seeds are planted beneath it. This fabric helps to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place. As the grass grows through the material, it forms a solid foundation. Over time, the Geojute breaks down, creating more biomass and further stabilizing the embankment.
Brushpacking
Brushpacking continues to be an effective technique for rehabilitating areas affected by erosion. We have used this method successfully in several reserve areas over the years. We are applying brushpacking to stabilise a dam wall that was washed away several years ago, which we recently rebuilt. By combining brushpacking with the Geojute fabric, we are seeing positive results. Following the rain a few weeks ago, we observed new grass shoots emerging through the Geojute material. These new shoots will help bind the soil, and over time, they will create a stable, vegetated area that will prevent further erosion.
Combining berms, Geojute fabric, and brushpacking is an effective strategy for land rehabilitation on the reserve. We are encouraged by the progress so far and optimistic about the long-term benefits these projects will bring to the landscape.
Additionally, we have been busy installing our solar plant, which has panels set on the roof of our workshop beside the homestead. These efforts are part of our mission to take HERD off the grid. Through a bank loan, we have covered the project’s full cost, which we are paying off from fundraising efforts for our solar campaign. There are many reasons for the electricity issues we face here in Hoedspruit, South Africa, which have necessitated installing solar power, such as cable theft, storms or heavy winds that cause line damage, ageing infrastructure, and line upgrades that cause power to be suspended periodically. We need a reliable power source for daily operations, unforeseen crisis management, carer accommodation, milk preparation, orphanage and homestead operations, lights, communication, security fencing, water pumping, irrigation, and more. Our solar power will help us to be more stable and provide for the elephants and their carers consistently.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts to look after the elephants and their home!
