The steps in establishing a conservancy:

1. Call a general meeting of all possible interest parties. A representative of Cape Nature Conservation can facilitate the meeting. Speakers from already existing Conservancies could give feed back on what has happened in their conservancy. This is the opportunity to sell the idea to prospective members. This is also a good opportunity to clear up any points people may be worried about.
2. The convenor of the meeting should ask for a vote to indicate if the majority are in favour of forming a Conservancy.
3. If the response is positive, a chairperson and steering committee should be elected immediately.
4. Elect a management committee for the establishment of the conservancy.
5. The establishment committee has the following duties:
   - Work out the maximum size of the conservancy
   - Getting more members onto the conservancy
   - Gathering the necessary information from all possible members
   - Write a constitution in which all the aims and objectives are clearly stated
   - Decide on an acceptable membership fee per year
6. Call a meeting where all the possible members of the conservancy will vote on the constitution, aims, objectives, and management principals of the conservancy.
7. A committee must be elected for managing the conservancy and to take on projects for example, fund raising, environmental management, problem plant and animal control, fire management and management of eco – systems in the conservancy.
8. The chairperson musts now contact Cape Nature Conservation and inform them of the establishment of the conservancy its aims and objectives and the size of the conservancy, a copy of the constitution must also be sent to them.
9. Conservancies are based on the voluntarily agreement and are registered through Cape Nature Conservation in the Western Cape, a certificate will be issued for that particular conservancy after registration.
10. The Guinn Fowl is the national badge for conservancies.

The role that Cape Nature Conservation will play in conservancies:

• Facilitate meetings.
  
• Give scientific information where needed.
  
• Motivate communities and landowners.
  
• Give administrative support.
  
• Training conservancy members and rangers.

PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING DISTRICT OFFICES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Milnerton: Oudtshoorn: George: Porterville: Hermanus: Robertson: Stellenbosch:

021 52 1070 04443 22 5955 0441 74 2160 02623 2900/7 0283 77 0062 02353 621/671 021 887 0111 / 889 1560