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RESTORATION AND REHABILITATION FEATURE

FOCUS ON INTABA

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Intaba Environmental Services was founded in 2012 by Johann van Biljon, a specialist
in landscape horticulture and rehabilitation. He works closely with his wife Georgina,
an ecologist and educator. Their company ethos is “We restore nature” and currently

they are undertaking an increasing number of riparian rehabilitation projects due to
demand from international funders. This is now becoming their niche skills set.

ntaba’s vision is the restoration of
ecosystems, capacity building within
Iecosystems and making conservation
practical. The company specialises in
a range of services including veld and
riparian rehabilitation, indigenous
plant propagation, environmental
education and other conservation
services. Specifically, they have been
involved in 18 rehabilitation projects, 17
environmental awareness projects, eight
landscaping projects, and many others.
In the last three years, the company has
rehabilitated over 40ha of riparian zones
and planted approximately 100 000
plants per year. They have partnered with Johann van Biljon
About Johann and Georgina van Biljon
over 48 landowners in the past three Georgina van Biljon
Johann van Biljon has over 17 years’ experience in horticulture and managing
years. 2019018 Footpath at a riparian rehabilitation site on the Berg River
rehabilitation projects in the Western Cape. His knowledge of how ecosystems
function and the propagation of indigenous plants has been built up over the
Understanding ecological processes years through keen observation, trial and error. He has received the following
is key in rehabilitation in order to awards:
avoid ongoing degradation and the • Stewardship Award at the SA Wetlands Society (2021);
deterioration of the environment due to: • Nedbank Green Award (2012);
• depletion of resources such as water, • Cape Award for Leading Conservation and Outreach (2011).
soil and air quality;
• the destruction of ecosystems and Johann is a member of the Society for Ecological Restoration, Custodians of
habitats; Rare and Endangered Wildflowers, an honorary ranger for Cape Nature and the
• the extinction of wildlife; and founder of the Witzenberg Environmental Initiative. An amateur herbalist who
• pollution. uses indigenous plants for various ailments, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing,
fishing, crafts and making short films. He is a trainer and visionary who looks
The main causes of ecological degradation further than the physical realm in restoring the earth.
in South Africa are pollution, unregulated
destruction of the environment and its Georgina began working in the conservation sector in 2011. Before joining
resources, expansion of agriculture and the Intaba team, she managed the Simonsberg Conservancy. She has an MSc
urban sprawl, the spread of alien invasive in conservation ecology and a degree in education from the University of
species, global warming, overpopulation Stellenbosch. She has also completed a course in environmental education
and pollution. through WESSA and in 2021 was elected as secretary of SER Africa.

A typical restoration/rehabilitation
project first involves contact with the
landowner, who needs to contribute
towards some of the costs. This is that have to be dealt with, especially when management, landscaping, working with
followed by a site assessment and there is a human dimension involved. By communities and landowners, conflict
signing of the landowner agreement. Site nature, riparian ecosystems are dynamic resolution and legal aspects with regard to
preparation then commences, involving and in a constant state of change, with environmental legislation. As fresh water
clearing of invasive plants, installing specialist plants and creatures functioning is in high demand, there are often issues
irrigation, erection of fences, site access together to enable the environment to relating to illegal water abstraction and
and planting. Maintenance is the final thrive in a healthy way. earthmoving in river beds, for example.
(but crucial) step in the process.
The rehabilitation of these areas Despite the fact that clean, fresh water is
Riparian restoration requires specialist knowledge of the considered a basic human right, there is
This is a highly specialised type of work as following: freshwater systems, botany, little awareness about how to facilitate this
there are so many unpredictable variables horticulture, geomorphology, ecology, fire in a practical way. Raising awareness and

16 Landscape SA • Issue 112 2022