HISTORY OF THE HERBARIUM
The creation of Buffelskloof Nature Reserve was entirely due to the vision and determination of John Rae. In the 1950s he purchased the first portion of land on a range of hills to the west of the kloof and planted tree pines there.
He rapidly realised the value of conserving the richly forested area, and over a period of 40 years acquired a further sixteen portions of land in order to ensure that it could be protected as a single unit. In 1986 the Reserve was proclaimed as a Natural Heritage Site, and in 2000 the Herbarium and research cottage were built in order to support and increase the reserve’s value as a research facility. Subsequently a lecture room , library and visitor accommodation have been added.