A joint initiative to clear the Lourens River and its banks of alien vegetation and litter is gaining momentum, as volunteers from local organisations get ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in this weekend.
The Lourens River Clean-up and Alien Vegetation Hack is spearheaded by the Lourens River Conservation Society (LRCS) and Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam). It is being held in partnership with the Helderberg Sunrise Rotary Club, Somerset West Bird Club, Krispy Kreme, and DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette this Sunday (15 May).
A common interest in the river and love for the environment are two of the driving forces behind the project, explained Neil Hoy of the LRCS. “The municipality does a lot for the river, but they cannot do everything,” he pointed out. “Many hands make light work. The community is filled with skilled and creative people who could add extra input to the care of the river.” Hoy added a clean river doesn’t only look good, but is also better for the environment.
“A dirty river is a health risk, and the rubbish will end up in the sea, further polluting the sea if not cleaned. We are dependent on nature, so we have to look after it.”
Also one of the skilled alien vegetation hackers, he added alien vegetation uses plenty of water, often forces indigenous vegetation out and can choke the river, which could make floods more severe.
Adding to this sentiment, Sonja Peacy, chairperson of the Helderberg Sunrise Rotary Club’s environmental portfolio, said alien vegetation disrupts the balance of the ecosystem. She explained: “They are a massive threat to our biodiversity as they spread easily, displace native plants, prevent native plants from growing and prevent a healthy plant community from growing.” Peacy added that the club placed its environmental focus on supporting the bi-weekly hacks and clean-ups since June last year.
Hoam founder Lisa Starr said the organisation decided to get involved as “the river is full of life” and flows to the Helderberg Marine Protected Area (MPA). “Sadly, we have vagrants living along the river and they leave a mess,” she explained. “When it rains the river rises and takes the litter with it. The litter then ends up in the Helderberg MPA.
“It’s always best to stop it at the cause – all rivers lead to an ocean after all. We also have a litter boom on the Lourens River, which I empty and then sort into recycling and landfill. I also count it all and Sonja Peacey of the Rotary club loads it onto a data sheet, so we can learn from it; so far, polystyrene is the worst offender as rivers are trapment areas.”
Following several clean-up operations and hacks, Starr said the impact is visible in the MPA. “We are removing a lot less trash from the MPA, but the mess by the river will not change unless illegal dumpers are brought to book and the homeless are removed. Every piece of rubbish removed is one less piece on our planet’s floor!”
Willene van der Merwe, a hacker and member of the Somerset West Bird Club, said the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary and river are important for birds in the area. “Pollution and loss of habitat is taking its toll, and invasive species like crows, hadedas and Egyptian geese chase away smaller birds,” she explained. “If we don’t take serious action, what makes us think that we can survive if the birds can’t?”
The community is urged to dedicate two hours of their time to cleaning the river and its banks from 08:30 to 10:30 on Sunday. The volunteers will meet opposite the AGS Charisma church in Jennings Street in Strand. With the added support of a Krispy Kreme, those participating will receive a delicious doughnut.
For more info on the project, visit the Hoam page on Facebook or send an email to lisa_starr@yahoo.com.
