Two-thirds of the estate – 2,000 hectares – have been cleared of invasive alien vegetation since Vergelegen became the first BWI champion in 2005.

Founded in 1700 and acquired by Anglo American in 1987, the estate also boasts 316 hectares of rehabilitated pristine Boland Granite Fynbos as well as 250 hectares of critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld and a small area of Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos.

Combined with large-scale clearing, Vergelen has implemented an environmental management programme that collectively allows indigenous plant and animal species to return to vast tracts of land.


Area conserved: 2, 174 ha
Location: Somerset West
Membership date: 1 March 2005
Website: Vergelegen