Although South Africa is host to the world’s richest temperate flora, efforts need to be put into both taxonomic research and conservation of many species to ensure their survival. In 2007 the Botanical Education Trust, a tax-exempt organization, was established to support funding of education and research in the field of indigenous South African flora.

The Taxonomic Problems in Plants of Conservation Importance Project is one of the beneficiaries of the Trust. Research into threatened and data deficient species and biological control of alien invasive plants are other projects.

The Trust also enables learners to attend a programme in the National Botanical Gardens, educating them about conservation and how to make informed environmental decisions.

The Botanical Education Trust operates under the auspices of the KZN Coastal Branch of the Botanical Society of SA (BotSoc). It is fully registered as a Trust and is audited annually. Any donor may treat donations to the Trust as a tax deductible expense.
This year the Trust’s major donor, Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust, will match the fundraising up to an amount of R300 000. This means any funds collected will be doubled. All donations over R500 are tax deductible.

Any person or organisation caring for our flora has an opportunity to make a difference by contributing to the Trust. Donations, no matter how small, will serve conservation in perpetuity as only the interest on it will be used to fund the objectives of the Trust. Even if contributions are not immediate, legacies left behind will be to the permanent benefit of our indigenous flora.

Any further information required can be obtained from the Trust’s chairman, who can be contacted by e-mail at charlesbotha@gmail.com or on 031 209 3929.