Cape Town is a special place which encompasses incredible world-renowned biodiversity. The residents of Cape Town share this city with a range of unique plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet.
In terms of the diversity, density and number of endemic plant species, Cape Town is recognised as one of the most exceptional places for environmental growth in the world. However, the pride of being a capital location for the flourishing of these species is accompanied by a heavy sense of responsibility as Cape Town is one of the most threatened areas of plant and animal life in the world. Of the 53 nationally critically endangered vegetation types in South Africa, ten are found within the City with three of these species occurring nowhere else on earth.
“We have an enormous responsibility to ensure that our globally important biodiversity is conserved and utilized in a sustainable manner,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.
“Biodiversity is integral to our city. Through time and development, it has become woven within our urban fabric. We have so many incredible plants and animals and scenic landscapes all around us. On our doorsteps are mountains, spectacular fynbos, leopards, flamingos, porcupines, otters, and a host of marine animals, such as orcas in the bay. We need to take care of this extraordinary environment that we share, and in order to do this government and residents have to work together,” says Van der Merwe.
The City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has resulted in the identification of a network of biodiversity sites (BioNet) that need to be secured to conserve a representative sample of Cape Town’s unique and irreplaceable biodiversity. To date, the Council IDP target of 60% of the BioNet has been secured and conserved. This equates to approximately 51 000 hectares. An additional 4 000 hectares is targeted to be secured by 2019.
Stewardship is one of the mechanisms the City uses to conserve land. This concept is about empowering communities and putting the management of biodiversity in the hands of the people. It is beneficial to the private landowner who is offered the tools and skills to make this conservation possible. To date, the City together with its partners has secured 300 hectares of land for conservation purposes through its stewardship programme.
The City has established a number of partnerships with organisations such as South African National Parks (SANParks), CapeNature, World Wide Fund for Nature, Wilderness Foundation, Biosphere Reserves Companies, local communities and is conjunctively working towards ensuring a sustainable city with well managed natural habitats.
The City of Cape Town manages 16 nature reserves and various nature areas, and is currently in the process of constituting protected area advisory committees for these environments. This will increase the level of public participation pertaining to the protection of these areas. The nature reserves and the BioNet provides a tremendous opportunity for skills development and green jobs.
Education is also seen as a vital component of biodiversity conservation. School groups from Cape Town and surrounding areas visit our various nature reserves to learn about biodiversity as well as sustainable living. A range of public events, including trail runs, weddings, star grazing, and bird ringing to name a few are held throughout the year at these reserves.
“Cape Town’s extraordinary biodiversity ensures that this city is a major destination for both tourism and financial investment. Biodiversity appreciation creates a number of work opportunities; provides beautiful natural areas for us to enjoy, and helps us to stay healthy,” says Van der Merwe.
Capetonians can get involved or work with the City in various ways, including:
- Visit a local nature reserve. For more information, see www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves;
- Join an environmental club or a nature reserve Friends Group;
- Always plant local (indigenous) plants in your garden – these are beautiful, water-wise and will support biodiversity. This will also attract local wildlife, such as birds, into your garden;
- Report non-indigenous invasive plants and animals – these take up space and compete with our local plants and animals. Visit www.capetowninvasives.org.za or email [email protected];
- Start an organic food garden (which doesn’t use pesticides) at your home, at your school or in your community; and
- Be aware that we share our city with many wild animals and always treat them with respect and care.