The City has added another nature reserve to Cape Town’s protected areas, namely Schapenberg.
Located on the western side of the Schapenberg Hills in Somerset West, it offers visitors spectacular views of the False Bay coastline and the Kogelberg, Hottentots Holland and Peninsula mountains.
Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, launched the Schapenberg Nature Reserve as part of the directorate’s Heritage Month celebrations on Friday (19 September).
Located on land recently acquired by the City, it consists of about 14 ha of critically-endangered Swartland shale renosterveld, which adjoins a private conservation area.
It is also host to many threatened plant species and a great diversity of plants and wildlife, including the blue-beard lionface (Nemesia barbata) and fiery-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis).
While the Schapenberg Nature Reserve is relatively small, it neighbours the 40-ha private Boskloof conservation area. There is also huge potential to link the site to the nature Vergelegen Estate’s nature reserve and the Hottentots Hollands Mountains via Morgenster Estate, also home to important remaining natural areas.
“I’ve visited Schapenberg and was blown away by the picturesque views from the hill,” said Andrews.
“Then, to see the spectacular plants and highly-threatened and poorly-protected Swartland shale renosterveld, which will now fall under our protection and management, made me extra proud.
“Around two months ago, when we took the Schapenberg land over, we immediately started with alien clearing to mitigate the huge fire risk these posed, and we will continue this work.
“Therefore, when we say we care about the conservation of biodiversity and Cape Town’s resilience, we mean it. With Schapenberg we will not only conserve important intact natural habitats, but also help future-proof our city against the impacts of climate change.
“Then, of course, there is the joy and educational opportunities Capetonians will get from visiting Schapenberg. Those living in Somerset West now have a beautiful nature reserve on their stoep!”
Andrews invited locals to visit the new reserve, located along Romulus Street in Somerset West.
It will be open from sunrise to sunset daily. Currently, visitors can enjoy walking, hiking and bird-watching, while future activities will include additional trails that are being developed.
Apart from the critically-endangered Swartland shale renosterveld, 12 other species of conservation concern can also be seen here: Autumn bobbejaantjie (Babiana villosula); Pearl Afrikaner (Gladiolus recurvus); Fuzzy dewfig (Drosanthemum hispifolium); Swartland silverpea (Xiphotheca lanceolata); Thickleaf capespinach
(Trachyandra chlamydophylla); Spider storksbill (Pelargonium asarifolium); Branching spoonfig (Erepsia ramosa); Satin bush (Podalyria sericea); Strict bobbejaantjie (Babiana nervosa);
Baboon flower (Babiana angustifolia); Fragrant bobbejaantjie (Babiana fragrans); and Creeping lotononis (Lotononis prostrata).
The municipality’s Environmental Management Department is developing ideal activities that are sustainable and compatible with the estate’s natural environment.
This will inform the conservation development framework going forward, as well as environmental education and awareness activities such as Spring guided walks, night walks, outdoor classrooms, and so forth.
Interest groups and the local community are encouraged to get involved by means of botanical surveys and bioblitz activities, and hacking and trail-maintenance groups to cultivate a sense of ownership and much- needed capacity at the site.
You must be logged in to post a comment.