The vision of the Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) is to
conserve, protect and enhance the unique natural, historical and
cultural resources of this area for the enjoyment and education
of present and future generations.

The BCA is situated on the West Coast, approximately 25 km
from the city centre of Cape Town. Located within the Cape floral kingdom, the BCA is a global biodiversity hotspot, making it a
significant project of the City’s Biodiversity Strategy. This area is representative of one of the most intact and diverse lowland
habitats near Cape Town, and marks the beginning of the
West-Coast flora. The BCA is unique in that it has three
vegetation types: strandveld/dune thicket, renosterveld and
sand plain fynbos as well their ecotones.

Over 530 plant species have been identified to date in an area of approximately 2 000 hectares. There are also 47 red data plant
species found in the BCA. Over 46 species of mammal, 34
species of reptile, nine amphibian species and 30 species of
butterfly are known or anticipated to occur here.

Culturally and historically, the BCA is signified with Later
Stone Age Khoisan middens along the coast, World War II
structures on Blaauwberg Hill, and was also the location of the
1806 Battle of Blaauwberg, which changed the rule at the Cape
to the second British occupation. The BCA has important economic, educational and recreational opportunities which add to the
sustainability of the area. The tourism potential of the area has been identified as being enormous.

Achievements

• The Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area have worked in
  co-operation with responsible 4x4 clubs to help stop inappropriate off-road
  vehicle usage and start to rehabilitate damage caused already
• An important positive contribution to the BCA was the sourcing of
  international funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
  (CEPF) for various initiatives in the BCA; this resulted from a working
  partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa:
  Western Cape Region (WESSA:WC)
• Increased law enforcement presence has helped to stop inappropriate
  activities and damage to the area
• Much of the alien plant infestation on City-owned land has been cleared
• The City-owned land was proclaimed a Local Nature Reserve in October
  2006
• A partnership with the Development Bank of South Africa has enabled
  a business planning process to be undertaken for the BCA

Downloads
 Blaauwberg Conservation Area brochure [PDF 770KB] 
A brief overview of the natural, cultural and historical significance of the
BCA.
 Blaauwberg Conservation Area – Floral Treasures brochure [PDF 1MB]
An overview of the three very threatened vegetation types within the BCA:
Strandveld, West Coast Renosterveld and Sand Plain Fynbos.

For further information, visit the Friends of the BCA website at
www.bca.org.za, or contact:

Ms Joanne Jackson
Tel:  +27 (0)21 487 2184
Fax: +27 (0)21 487 2255
E-mail: joanne.jackson@capetown.gov.za

NOTE: The City of Cape Town is not responsible for the content of external
websites, nor does it constitute an endorsement of these websites.
They are solely intended to provide additional information sources that
may be helpful.