City celebrate World Environment Day
06 June 2023
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department joined hands with
community-based groups and volunteers to
facilitate habitat restoration and sustainability initiatives in celebration of
World Environment Day on 5 June 2023.
The Recreation and Parks Department facilitated three events to mark World Environment Day.
On Friday, 2 June 2023, the Department was joined by the Biodiversity Management Branch and volunteers at the Batavia Street Public Open Space (POS) in Bothasig to reintroduce Protea species that have become extinct locally.
The Batavia Street POS was chosen by community members who observed rare and endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos species. Community members took the initiative to ensure that the POS is managed to protect these unique species and to improve the overall conservation of the space.
Species planted included the critically endangered strawberry spiderhead (Serrura aemula), endangered sunshine conebush (Leucadendron salignum) and the Thistle Sugarbush (Protea scolymocephala).
High resolution photographs are available here: https://bit.ly/3qnQFYB
On Monday, 5 June 2023, the Recreation and Parks Ecological Management Team, volunteers, residents of Penhill and two local groups - the Ikamva group from Eerste River and the Buzani Kubawo Inyanga Association group from Mfuleni - planted various fynbos species and scattered seeds from more than 20 plant species at Penhill Conservation area in Eerste River. These include Thistle Protea, Bakkerbos, Cancer Bush, Blue African Sage, Padsabos and others.
High resolution photographs are available here: https://bit.ly/3qrJHCb
On Tuesday, 6 June 2023, the Recreation and Parks Department was joined by community members in sowing and scattering seeds of local fynbos species at the Jack Muller Park in Bellville.
High resolution photographs are available here: https://bit.ly/3oTJtmD
'Parks and public open spaces in our urban environment are important community assets and fosters an appreciation of nature, right on our doorsteps. Through these community-driven initiatives, we contribute to the ecological improvement of parks and other public open spaces, while also fostering a sense of ownership and a co-responsibility to protect and maintain these spaces. These initiatives enable communities to take pride in their parks and create a lasting legacy,' said Mayoral Committee Member, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
