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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - What do you do when you see fynbos disappearing and being replaced by invasive plants all around you?
Well one can type away on the keypad and post the unhappiness on social media, one can ignore the situation or one can exchange the keypad for a garden fork.
With this in mind, a small group of concerned conservation conscious community members decided that it was time to start rehabilitating a green area as a pilot project in order to allow the natural vegetation to return. Over the years so much of our natural heritage has been lost as result of development and growth of invasive vegetation.
With the support of Mossel Bay Municipality, in particular Dirk Zietsman, Mongezi Bobelo, Clr Marie De Klerk and Warren Manuel, a site in A. Castanea Street, was earmarked for the pilot rehabilitation project. A team from the Municipality did an excellent job at with the initial clearing of Port Jacksons and other invasive plants early in September last year.
The RAG team then commenced with the Rehabilitation project a week later. Prior to commencing with the work, very useful input was obtained from Sandra Falanga, an active CREW (Custodian of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) member as well as from Ilona Birch our community Conservation Stalwart. This helped to get the RAG heads around how best to tackle the project.
On two occasions every month, a Saturday and a Wednesday, active members of RAG can be seen digging and uprooting invasive material in order to allow the natural flora to recover lost ground. The RAG sessions are generally held from 08:30 to 10:30.
Since commencing with this project the team, (consisting on average of 5 members per session), have filled 37 green bags of invasive plants. The changing landscape is clearly visible and it is gratifying to see the natural vegetation being restored.
Watch a video below:
The long term vision is that this project will be the start of a growing trend that will see more community members become actively involved in rehabilitating the various green belts around Dana Bay. Remember, you are doing it for yourself and your neighbour as residents of Dana Bay. Green Belts are there for us a community to enjoy.
FYNBOS matters to Birds, Bees and Butterflies and Tortoises too!
What a great legacy to leave for future generations!
“The purpose of conservation: The greatest good to the greatest number of people for the longest time.” Gifford Pinchot
Are you keen to become an ACTIVE RAG champ? Email vincentsurics@yahoo.com. Not only will you engaging in a valuable conservation activity, you will in addition be building your knowledge of flora while getting some exercise done. A healthy lifestyle!
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