On 9–10 August 2025, we hosted our very first Keeping it Wild in Rocklands at Traveller’s Rest in the Northern Cederberg — and what a weekend it was!
For those new to the concept, Keeping it Wild weekends are a Love Our Trails initiative that began in the Central Cederberg in 2023, in partnership with Sustainable Ceder. The idea is simple yet powerful: bring together people with a deep passion for an area — whether they’re hikers, 4×4 enthusiasts, climbers, scientists, conservationists, or simply nature lovers — and create a space where those passions connect.
We believe that if everyone saw the environment through the eyes of a conservationist, they would treat it differently, and our wild spaces would have a better chance of surviving. These weekends are about finding common ground, sharing stories, and working together to protect the places we love.
Saturday Night: Stories that Inspire
The weekend kicked off on the evening of 9 August at Traveller’s Rest with a series of remarkable talks, hosted by Blake Dyason, founder of Love Our Trails and the organiser of the Keeping it Wild events. Blake set the tone for the evening by sharing why these gatherings matter and reminding us that we all play a role in protecting wilderness areas.
Our lineup of speakers was nothing short of inspiring:
- Jethro Watson – A long-time Rocklands local with an incredible story. Originally drawn here by world-class climbing, Jethro’s life changed when a freak accident involving a falling boulder left him with severe injuries and the loss of a leg. Unable to climb again, he still couldn’t leave Rocklands behind. Today, he leads the RAD organisation, championing sustainability in the area. Listen to the Keeping it wild podcast with Jethro.
- Dawie Burger – Founder of Sustainable Ceder. Dawie spoke passionately about the endangered Clanwilliam cedar tree, why it’s so important, and the work Sustainable Ceder is doing to restore these trees while creating jobs and opportunities for local communities.
- Royden Yates – Researcher and rock art enthusiast, Royden shared fascinating insights into the ancient artwork found throughout the Cederberg, the stories it tells, and the privilege we have to see so much of it still preserved today.
- Jeremy Shelton – From the Freshwater Research Centre, Jeremy has been working on incredible projects to protect and reintroduce the Clanwilliam sandfish and other endemic fish species to the rivers of the Cederberg.
We ended the evening with a screening of a new film by Ethan Pringle and Catie Monteiro, followed by Traveller’s Rest’s famous buffet dinner. A percentage of every buffet sold went to Sustainable Ceder, raising over R5,000 for cedar conservation! The night was alive with conversation, laughter, and shared inspiration, with more than 120 people in attendance.
Sunday: Giving Back to the Land
On Saturday morning, the action shifted to Kliphuis Campsite in Rocklands. After a quick briefing, more than 40 volunteers — supported by CapeNature and Sustainable Ceder — split into two teams:
- Cedar Tree Planting Team – Hiking up to 1,000m elevation, this team planted 128 Clanwilliam cedar saplings in rocky cracks ideal for growth. Each tree was documented with GPS coordinates, photos, and even given a name! Despite light rain and chilly conditions, spirits were high (and the young trees were grateful for the water).
- Erosion Control Team – Working along the Pakhuis Pass, this group filled and strategically placed over 130 sandbags to prevent further erosion. It was tough, physical work, but their efforts will make a difference for the area’s trails and infrastructure.
This was a momentous moment for Rocklands. It showed the power of bringing diverse people together — from climbers to botanists, from local landowners to weekend visitors — all working side by side for a shared cause.
A massive thank you goes to our speakers, Sustainable Ceder, CapeNature, Traveller’s Rest, RAD, local property owners, and, most importantly, every single person who joined us.
We can’t wait to be back in Rocklands in 2026. Until then, let’s keep it wild — together.
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