ituated in the Klein River Mountains           near Hermanus has for many years served as a study site for various students, botanists and environmentalists whose work has significantly contributed to the conservation of the flora and fauna in the area. The reserve is steeped in botanical history in particular, botanist Rudolph Schlecter, made 94 collections as early as 1896. Dr Ion Williams purchased the farm Vogel Gat on the 13th October 1969 and Vogelgat was proclaimed a private nature reserve on the 18th August 1971.  Dr Williams revised the genus Leucodendron and several genera in the Rutacea. Dr. Williams’ great enthusiasm and wonderful field laboratory of Vogelgat have resulted in the completion of graduate theses including “An Investigation into the Forest Margin Dynamic” by T.I. Abraham (BSc. Hons); “Deformation Structures in the Table Mountain Group” by R. Whittle-Herbert (BSc. Hons) Phytosociological Study of a Private Nature Reserve in the Cape Province Plant Succession after Fire in Coastal Fynbos  Check-List of the Flora in the Vogelgat Nature Reserve with response to Fire by Cheryl de Lange (MSc). Other significant works include those of the Curator of African Botany, Missouri Botanical Gardens, USA, Peter Goldblatt’s listing of the Geissorhiza species found in Vogelgat in the ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN and his inclusion of Morea vallisavium, in THE MOREAS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, a species at present known only to occur in Vogelgat. Due to the untiring efforts of Dr Williams the reserve became one of the first (No. 5) South African Heritage Sites in 1985. Vogelgat is nestled between two other nature reserves, namely Fernkloof and Maanschynkop nature reserves, realising a continuos swathe of natural fynbos across the Kleinriverberge. The reserve is abundant floristically speaking; 965 species are found here with 13 considered Rare. Of  the 1665 plant species found in Vogelgat and the Fernkloof Nature reserves 131 are only found in Vogelgat.  As the reserve lies only 125km east of Cape Town, it makes hiking and overnighting within easy reach for many of the members.  The waterfalls and unique vistas are two of the many attractions to its members. The reserve has been one of the first private reserves previously zoned as agriculture I to be rezoned to Open Space III (2002). Board of Trustees   J. Williams (Chairman) A. van Hoogstraaten M.Fouche D. Morrison   Giorgio Lombardi( Warden) MISSION The conservation of the natural ecological systems of the Vogelgat Nature reserve and the neighbouring land for the enlightenment and enjoyment of coming generations, in perpetuity. GOAL By the year 2010, the natural environment and biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) are effectively conserved along the Klein River Mountains chain as the Klein River Mountain Biosphere Reserve, with Vogelgat Nature Reserve being a core member. OBJECTIVES Maintain ecological systems and processes Functions: Maintain regular monitoring programmes in order to audit sound management principles. To maintain the healthy state of the Vogelgat River. To limit visitor numbers by way of a permit system in order to control human impact on the environment. To clear and maintain paths in such a manner that this maintenance does not impact negatively on the environment. Conserve genetic diversity Functions: Eradicate invasive alien plant species. Prevent unnatural extinction’s of any indigenous species. Educate and motivate local communities and resource users to promote and conserve the CFK. Functions: Commit resources to act as an educational facility for the benefit of: · Students doing their in-service training; · School groups from the surrounding community; · Students doing scientific research. To ensure that all neighbours are aligned and mobilised towards a common vision, policy and purpose for the conservation of the CFK. Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve situated in the Klein River Mountains near Hermanus has for many years served as a study site for various students, botanists and environmentalists whose work has significantly contributed to the conservation of the flora and fauna in the area. The reserve is steeped in botanical history in particular, botanist Rudolph Schlecter, made 94 collections as early as 1896. Dr Ion Williams purchased the farm Vogel Gat on the 13th October 1969 and Vogelgat was proclaimed a private nature reserve on the 18th August 1971.  Dr Williams revised the genus Leucodendron and several genera in the Rutacea. s Vogelgat Nature reserve, © Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve           Design: Webwits © Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve           Design: Webwits © Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve    Design: Webwits Graciously sponsored by: Dr Gerrit Wyma & Nosy Rosy