Our History
The Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation (LRCF) was established to advance the scientific understanding, conservation and responsible cultivation of the genus Lithops. Through scientific research, long-term field studies and international collaboration, the LRCF promotes the conservation of naturally occurring Lithops populations and their habitats throughout southern Africa.
The LRCF maintains close working relationships with researchers, conservation authorities and specialist organisations. All research is based on sound scientific methodology, accurate documentation and the long-term monitoring of naturally occurring Lithops populations.
Research findings are published in peer-reviewed journals, books and official Foundation publications. These scientific contributions support the international understanding, taxonomy and conservation of the genus Lithops.
These efforts led to the formal establishment of the Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation in 2014. Over the years, Roy published numerous scientific articles based directly on the Foundation’s research, culminating in the comprehensive book Lithops in Habitat and Cultivation.
Today, the Foundation operates from Alte Kalköfen Lodge near Bethanie and functions as an international collaboration of committed Lithops enthusiasts. Contributors including Dr. Marc Mougin (France), Dr. Ronald Uijs (South Africa), Prof. Peter Beiersdorfer (USA), and Prof. Jaan Lepson (USA) bring a wide range of professional expertise and contribute through fieldwork, research, and publications that support the understanding and conservation of Lithops.
The Cole Lithoparium at Alte Kalköfen Lodge houses an unique living genetic resource. This collection supports research, education, seed production, and restoration projects. Dr. Roy Earlé’s former UK collection also played a key role in this work, with plants now contributing to ongoing DNA research at a university in Canada.
Through research, habitat restoration, education, and international cooperation, the Foundation is committed to safeguarding Lithops in their natural Namibian landscapes for future generations.
Vision Statement
To secure the long-term survival of Lithops in their natural habitats through internationally recognised research, conservation action, and public understanding.
Our Mission Statement
The Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation is dedicated to:
Advancing scientific knowledge of Lithops ecology, population dynamics, and habitat requirements through long-term, data-driven field research.
Protecting and restoring Lithops colonies in situ by developing and implementing proactive conservation methods, including reintroduction programmes and habitat management.
Educating landowners, local communities, researchers, and visitors to promote responsible stewardship and awareness of Lithops and their ecological importance.
Cultivating genetically authentic, first-generation plants to support research, conservation, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Building governmental, local and international collaboration to strengthen research, share knowledge, and ensure the continued conservation of Lithops across Namibia and South Africa.
Our People
Meet the incredible team of the Lithops Reseach & Conservation Foundation.
Dr Roy A. Earlé
Roy is a professional ornithologist and veterinary surgeon based in the United Kingdom. Born in Namibia, he spends several months each year in Namibia and South Africa studying Lithops in their natural habitat. As a founder member of the Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation, his main focus is the ecology, conservation, and restoration of Lithops populations.
He has published widely on southern African birds and mammals, as well as on Lithops and other succulent plants. He is co-author, with Janice Round, of a booklet on the Lithops of Namibia and collaborated with Andrew Young on a major study of Lithops seed morphology, which contributed significantly to stabilising the classification of the genus.
Ronald R.J. Uijs
Ronald is a retired medical oncologist and long-standing Lithops field researcher whose fascination with the genus began at the age of twelve, after discovering his aunt’s Lithops collection in the Marydale district of South Africa. Early encounters with veld plants in their natural habitat sparked a lifelong commitment to studying these remarkable plants in the wild.
His first veld observations included Lithops hookeri near Marydale, followed by Lithops hallii var. ochraceae and Lithops verruculosa in the Prieska district, laying the foundation for decades of focused field research and documentation.
Over the years, Ronald has undertaken numerous field trips, contributed to key Lithops publications, and now in retirement continues to join field trips whenever possible, remaining closely involved in the world of mesembs.
Frikkie W. Mouton
Frikkie is a founder member of the Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation and is actively involved in documenting Lithops through photography, both in habitat and within the Lithoparium. Together with his wife, Hildegard, he manages Alte Kalköfen Lodge in Namibia.
At the lodge, Frikkie leads regular educational walks for visitors from around the world, introducing them to Lithops in habitat and communicating current research findings and conservation priorities. Through this work, he serves as a key public ambassador for Lithops and the Foundation.
Hildegard Mouton
Hilde is a founder member of the Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation and is based in Namibia. She curates the country’s largest registered Lithops collection and established the Cole Lithoparium at Alte Kalköfen Lodge, which she runs together with her husband, Frikkie.
Her interest in Lithops began in 2000 after first encountering the plants in habitat. Since then, she has undertaken extensive field expeditions in Namibia and South Africa and remains particularly committed to field exploration, documentation, and the discovery of previously unknown or long-lost Lithops populations.
Dr Marc Mougin
Marc is a veterinary surgeon based in France and an associate member of the Lithops Research & Conservation Foundation. During annual visits to southern Africa, he contributes ecological data on Lithops and other succulents in Namibia and South Africa.
He pioneered the use of drone-based photography to document Lithops populations and is the founder of cactuspro.com, a comprehensive photographic resource on succulent plants in habitat and cultivation.
Dr Jaan Kaimanu Lepson
Jaan is a retired Associate Research Physicist from the Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley.
Within the Foundation, Jaan is primarily involved in field research documenting the distribution and population status of Lithops and associated succulents, as well as monitoring the effects of climate change and predation. Working alongside Peter Beiersdorfer, he has contributed to rodent predation control studies and ongoing efforts to rediscover historically “lost” Lithops taxa, including halenbergensis, opalina, and summitatum.
Dr Peter Beiersdorfer
Peter is a Research Scientist at the Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley.
As part of his work with the Foundation, he is involved in field research focused on documenting Lithops localities, environmental impacts, and predation affecting their survival. He is a life member of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, a member of several regional cactus and succulent societies, and a Fellow of both the American Astronomical Society and the American Physical Society. His recent peer-reviewed publications contribute to advancing Lithops taxonomy and conservation.
Acknowledged Artist: Janet Snyman
Janet is a botanical artist and illustrator whose detailed drawings have made an important contribution to the documentation of Lithops and other succulent plants. Formerly Head of the Art Department at the National Museum in Bloemfontein, she specialises in botanical illustration.
She is a member of the Botanical Artists Association of South Africa, a gold medallist at the Kirstenbosch Biennale, and an illustrator of Mesembs: The Titanopsis Group by Steven Hammer. Her work continues to support scientific and conservation publications.
Lithee
Lithee was an English Springer Spaniel, born on 29 April 2010, one of eight puppies in the litter. She grew up as part of daily life at Roy’s veterinary practice and began training to sniff out Lithops at just eight months old.
Her natural ability and enthusiasm made her an invaluable field partner, accompanying Roy to Namibia in 2016 and 2018. Lithee passed away in 2023 after battling brain cancer, but her legacy lives on through the work she supported and the quiet devotion she brought to it.