CAPE TOWN-A group of volunteers are continuing their quest in keeping the Silvermine wetland free from alien vegetation.
Over 35 community members gathered for a morning clean-up in the Lower Silvermine Wetland Area between Clovelly and Fish Hoek on Saturday 23 August.
They assisted with alien clearing and the replanting of areas damaged as a result of the rerouting of electrical cables under the Silvermine River by the City of Cape Town’s Electricity Department.
The group represent The Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (Fosna) who also arranged its third quarterly work party of the year during their clean-up operation, said Fosna Chair Martin Scholtz.
“It was wonderful to see so many community members keen to be involved in the maintenance of this unique natural system. It is a space that is utilised a lot for walking and running, and we appeal to the community to stay on the paths, as the denuded areas are slowly revegetated. We only managed to clear a small area but will continue in the month of September to deal with ongoing alien clearing that is needed,” he said.
The Silvermine Nature Reserve is maintained and kept tidy through the help of Fosna, a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) that works collaboratively with South African National Parks (SANParks), the City of Cape Town and other stakeholders, including the Umvoto Foundation, a non-profit company (NPC) that deals with earth sciences consultancy. The volunteers promote the conservation of the Silvermine Nature Area. They also foster and promote public awareness of the area.
Dr Dave Balfour, a Fish Hoek resident, said: “The work party contributed to two very important conservation goals, reducing alien plants that are rapidly invading the disturbed areas in the wetlands and actively rehabilitating some of the disturbed area through planting of locally cultivated plants. The fact that approximately 35 local residents put aside time on a Saturday morning to contribute to this effort is hugely encouraging.”
Fay Howa, from the City of Cape Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, also shared her knowledge regarding the successful propagation of wetland plants and replanting in the damaged area.
Jonathan Morgan, a Clovelly resident, said: “The regular Clovelly wetland work party – in which adults and children from all walks of life participate – is a wonderful example of community mobilisation aiming at: a wetland that is litter free, where invasive aliens are removed, where new indigenous saplings are planted, and where paths are maintained. I so look forward to these events where I feel we as a community are making a difference aiming for a pristine beautiful natural common space we all can enjoy.”
Fellow Clovelly resident Melanie Farrell said it has been great to get involved with restoring the wetland area between Clovelly and Fish Hoek, now that the earthworks are finished.
“We walked to the wetland on Saturday morning and found Fay Howa from the City’s recreation and parks department waiting for us. Fay had arrived with a bakkie-full of previously propagated wetland-friendly plants, and she showed us how and where to plant them. I also saw friends and neighbours that I hadn’t seen for a while, and met new neighbours that I’d previously ‘met’ through WhatsApp.”
The Silvermine wetland needs additional volunteers to ensure that the area is free from alien vegetation clearing and that the ecosystem thrives through regular clean-up campaigns.
. For more information visit website Fosna Home Page or call Sholtz at 083 461 3840.
