Report on AIP control work done in the Kloofendal Nature Reserve

For years the late Jörgen Hammerström was a dedicated member of FroK’s Invasive Alien Plant control team, Here are parts of FroK’s tribute to him at his memorial service in December 2017 after he past away from cancer of the lungs.

Thank you Monica for allowing us to give tribute to Jörgen for his dedicated work he has done in the Kloofendal Nature Reserve over many years in dealing with problem invasive plants, most of them declared by law to be removed, some not declared.

Not only did Jörgen and Monica choose to buy their house overlooking the Kloofendal Nature Reserve, but Jörgen has played a huge role in preserving the veld in the Reserve. He is a fine example of someone who actively cares for his local environment.

As part of the FroK committee, Jörgen’s position was invasive alien plant control. This important portfolio initially was held by Doreen Wood with John Hill’s assistance, then John Roberts and then Jörgen for the last six years. Besides the monthly meets, Jörgen would, on his own, spend many days, working in the reserve, walking around, discovering where the problem plants were and discovering new ones with Doreen and Karin’s help in identifying them. He experimented with different ways of eradicating the problem plants – manually, cutting off the flowers and seeding parts of the plants, pulling and digging them out, slashing, ring barking, cut and poison, so many ways.

Evidence of Jörgen’s work: Many a dead alien tree, standing amongst our indigenous plants in Kloofendal, shows where Jörgen has been at work, where his experimenting with herbicides and diesel has worked. We also see fewer invasive plants crowding the indigenous plants out.