City plants new ways of biodiversity thinking as world celebrates natural assets

22 May 2016

Cape Town’s biodiversity mix includes approximately 3 000 plant species in 19 different vegetation types. The City’s 16 nature reserves conserve important elements of this rich biodiversity.

‘We are excited to be welcoming learners from all communities to our reserves during May and June as we try to nurture a love for conservation through our interactive educational programmes. These have proven to be popular and we hope that our programmes may be the spark for budding nature enthusiasts.

"Through these programmes, we are celebrating our biodiversity. Our reserves are intertwined with our communities and it is especially important for us to connect learners from our more vulnerable communities to the biodiversity of our city. Learners from approximately 15 schools will participate in the interactive biodiversity awareness programmes held at the Tygerberg, Table Bay, Blaauwberg, Witzands, Edith Stephens, Bracken, Zandvlei, Helderberg and False Bay nature reserves where they will be educated about the importance of biodiversity and their responsibility in ensuring its protection and conservation" Bret HerronCity Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town

Some of the City’s s efforts around biodiversity-related awareness and education include educational programmes for school learners, environmental clubs where the public and experts can interact, and the Smart Living Challenge Zone at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

To create further awareness and to enhance the educational programmes, exhibitions will be held at various libraries and shopping centres around Cape Town. Some of these include the Philippi East, Brackenfell and Kraaifontein libraries.

‘We all depend on biodiversity – which means the variety of life on earth – in ways that are not always obvious or appreciated. The availability of food, clean water and air depends upon ecosystem products and services. Biodiversity also provides areas for us to enjoy and creates jobs.

‘In the last financial year over 140 000 person days of temporary employment were created through the City’s Kader Asmal Expanded Public Works Programme Project. In addition to this, other government departments created jobs linked to the natural environment, including Working for Water, Working for Wetlands, Working on Fire, Working for the Coast, and various infrastructure development programmes.

‘This International Day for Biological Diversity, let us all make a start by doing something positive for our environment, and not disregarding the importance that small contributions make to the overall well-being of our ecosystem. Already, 13 of our plant species are classed as extinct. A further 319 plant types are threatened with extinction.

".It is important for the younger generation to be educated in a fun-filled, interactive manner that is relevant to them so that they can get excited about their contribution to conserving and protecting the environment" Bret HerronCity Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town

Capetonians can also get involved or work with the City in various ways, by:

visiting nature reserves throughout the year. Schools wishing to book for environmental education programmes at their local nature reserve can visit City nature reserves for further information and contact details.
visiting the Smart Living Challenge Zone at the Two Oceans Aquarium, which includes a digital interactive installation on biodiversity
joining an environmental club or a nature reserve friends group
always planting non-invasive, local (indigenous), water-wise plants in your garden
reporting non-indigenous, invasive plants and animals. Visit Cape Town Invasives or email invasive.species@capetown.gov.za
starting an organic food garden (which does not use pesticides) at your home, at your school or in your community
avoiding the use of pesticides and harsh chemicals as these can harm the plants and animals
being aware that we share our city with many wild animals and by always treating them with respect and care

End

Note to editors: high-resolution photos are available on request to media.account@capetown.gov.za

Published by: