GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust welcomes new curator Christiaan Viljoen, who commenced his tenure on 13 March.
Christiaan grew up in George and the Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) is a place that he has loved exploring since childhood, as it was close to home, long before the fence line or even the paved pathways were constructed.
Christiaan completed his field guide certificate (NQF2) with the Field Guide's Association of South Africa in 2017, and CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide Level 2 certificate at the Nature Collage in 2013.
He acquired a Diploma in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela University George Campus in 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Technology in nature conservation (2013) at the same institution.
In addition, he has completed an in-depth bird identification course presented by Peter Ginn Birding Safaris (2003).
Christiaan completed his nature conservation practical experience at Kriegershoek Nature Reserve and Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration CC.
In addition to owning a special tour company (Explore Eden), his working experience includes being a specialist bird guide at River Bend Lodge and Addo Elephant National Park, a senior guide at River Camp, Sibuya Game Reserve, head guide at Nyaru Game Lodge, and field guide at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Gondwana Game Reserve, respectively.
Christiaan has gained a detailed knowledge of the fauna and flora of the beautiful and biodiverse Garden Route. Birding is his speciality and he was mentored by local bird expert, guide, author and photographer Peter Ginn.
Christiaan has an unbridled passion for nature. "It has been amazing to watch the botanical garden grow and expand, and to witness the improvement of infrastructure and security," he says.
"Today the GRBG is one of the top outdoor facilities in and around George and in the Garden Route. It is a special place to get out into nature and enjoy a safe, clean and educational environment, where people are able to relax and learn to appreciate the importance of 'green spaces' in an ever-growing urban environment."
He will enthusiastically relay the important role of the garden's herbarium, and how he sees the garden playing a pivotal role in the protection of rare and endangered plant species in the near future.
He lights up when discussing how the garden creates a habitat for a myriad of smaller animals, and in his view, it is fast becoming a top birding hotspot in the Southern Cape. "The number of species that have been recorded living and breeding on the property means that this garden is far more than just a botanical garden; it is a nature reserve and an important conservation area."
We are looking forward to many new developments in the garden under Christiaan's energetic leadership.
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