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SOUTHBROOM KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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FREDERIKA NATURE PRESERVE |
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The Frederika Nature Preserve came into being in 1977 when 30 beachfront residential sites where placed on the market. Leo Driessen, a concerned environmentalist, realised the value of the biodiversity of the area and the negative impact that development of the primary dune would have on Southbroom. He chose to purchase all of the properties on offer and donated them into the custody of SA Nature Conservation Centre (now Delta Environmental Centre).
In 1990, Delta's then Chairman, and friend of Leo Driessen, Mr NC Bloom, registered the preserve with the Department of Environment Affairs as a South African Natural Heritage Site of National Importance.
The Southbroom Conservancy is now involved with the management practices required by Natural Heritage status: continued alien plant removal with associated soil damage and erosion reclamation; and regular patrolling to prevent debarking of trees, snares and eliminate trespassing. Frederika comprises 8 hectares of mature, virgin dune forest and borders the 16th, 17th and 2nd fairways of the Southbroom golf course. It is best viewed from the beach. For the shortest walk to view the Frederika, gain access to the beach at the Woodlands road cutting and continue south to Black Rock Road. |
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He named the preserve for his wife, Frederika, who
later increased its size by the donation of certain adjoining sites on the
highest part of the dune. 
To
quote the Natal Parks Board's Chief Professional Officer's report:
"The stand of Coastal Forest is in good condition and has a high diversity
of species present. The area shares a common boundary with the Government
reserve and is therefore somewhat unique in having sea frontage. This
community was once more extensive along the Natal South Coast but today exists
only in a few isolated patches due to land being cleared for urban and
agricultural development. Species such a blue duiker and bushbuck are
present in the forest."
