Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy

Hammarsdale and Cato Ridge are areas of significant development and have potential for much more given its appeal to businesses.

There is strong demand for light manufacturing and warehousing in the region given large, flat, well priced erven, proximity to the N3 and Eskom power.

They also hold vast biodiversity resources that require conservation; specifically threatened grasslands, catchment areas and waterways.

Krantz Aloe are found on the fringes of grass lands and make an impression when flowering in winter.

The Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy aims to balance these competing pressures for development and conservation through a progamme of action including -

1) Conservation and rehabilitation of sites of high biodiversity value

In 2023 the focus is on

  • Rehabilitating three highly visible degraded areas, ridding them of alien invasive vegetation and litter. This will be funded by the HCRDA core budget and sponsorship of ‘Conservancy marketing boards’.

  • These areas are –

    1 Along the Mr385 from N3 into Hammarsdale which (when cleared) offers excellent views into the grasslands to the West

    2 Along 1000 Hills Street towards Inchanga which (when cleared) offers excellent views of the rock faces, and aloes

    3 Along the R103 from the Cato Ridge turn off where there is significant traffic and pedestrian flows and litter

  • Engagement with the authorities to address environmental infringements.

The number of areas conserved and rehabilitated will be expanded over time with trails (walking, running and riding) and other eco-tourism activities (i.e. bird hides) developed.

2) Promoting sustainable development amongst business and residential community members

In 2023 the focus is on

  • Improving awareness of the existing biodiversity resources and conservation initiatives underway with support of these initiatives as budget allows.

  • This will be achieved through –

    • 12 Social Media posts to facebook.com/hcrda

    • 6 email bulletins to the business community

    • 1-1 engagements with Traditional Leadership and Ward Councillors

    • 4 Conservancy steering committee meetings

    • Celebration of initiatives that support biodiversity and reduce our impact on the environment

    • Activities on recognised calendar days relating to the environment

Partnerships with businesses and entities already active in conservation in the region (i.e. Use-It,  eThekwini Municipality, farmers and neighbouring conservancies) will be developed to ensure alignment with and complementing of existing initiatives.

Please contact us on info@hcrda.org or 087 147 2531 -

Placed in high traffic locations on the side of main roads these support the work of the Convervancy and secure recognition for your support.

  • Support, and convey your support book one of the 20 available Conservancy marketing board

  • Promote your biodiversity resources and conservation initiatives underway

  • Make any offers of resources or suggestion as to how you could contribute towards the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy

  • Participate on the Conservancy steering committee

  • If you know of any environmental infringements

About the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy

The physical scope of the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy is approximately Km2.

This region contains 974 species including endangered and critically endangered species (per inaturalist)

Constitution of the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Conservancy

The Conservancy operates as a programme of the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Development Association which has a customised Memorandum of Incorporation. Participation is welcomed from anyone who aligns with and may support it.