Book excerpt: With the scenic village of Clarens located on the western edge of the Maloti-Drakensberg, the Clarens Village Conservancy offers a taste of biodiversity quite special to this region: it forms an area of overlap between western arid elements, moist eastern elements, Afromontane elements, and Drakensberg alpine elements. As such, there is a treat for adventurers around every corner in this rugged environment. Thanks to active and well-managed civic organisations such as the Clarens Village Conservancy, this natural heritage will not go unappreciated. We are truly privileged to live and work in this environment, and hope that this Field Guide will inspire many visitors to come to marvel at our mountains and its treasures. Dr Ralph Clark Director: Afromontane Research Unit Qwaqwa Campus, University of the Free State Honorary Life Member: iVungu River Conservancy (KZN)