Zandvlei Trust

Task Team – Rehabilitation – exotic invasive vegetation removal.

This is a working relationship with the City of Cape Town and the Zandvlei Trust.

Where
The Cape Bird Club has had a long history at Zandvlei, and monthly 'hacks' were started by Alan Morris back in 1978. He initiated the practise for the Cape Bird Club. Bill Rudings took over as leader in 1985 and subsequently Gavin Lawson in 1991.
Zandvlei Trust members have regularly cleared the invasive species from the Reserve area for more than 20 years. Since the GZENR was proclaimed in Oct 2006, we have worked in this extended area beyond of the "old" Reserve area.

When
The 'rehabilitation' takes place every, 2nd Saturday afternoon of the month at 14h00.
Contact Gavin Lawson  - 021 705 5224

Why
The idea is to remove these invasive species, so that the biodiversity of indigenous plants may be encouraged. This also promotes the diversity of other living species, plants, insects, reptiles, mammals, birds etc, which make up or are part of habitats and ecosystems.
The invasive vegetation often dominates areas, where it grows and often suppresses the indigenous plants. The exotic plants grow very quickly, removing large amounts of water from the soil and creating a shade covering canopy. This prevents the sunlight reaching the ground, where the low growing ground covers, bulbs and seedlings struggle to grow. The exotic plants can and some do alter the soil characteristic by adding nitrogen to it. These plants dominate as their host insects and parasites are not present.
The fynbos vegetation usually grows in nitrogen poor soils.

Aug 2008

Six UCT Biosoc students volunteered to help and they made a huge dent in parts of Grysbok Park.

The pile was about 30 meters long. We found a medium sized chameleon sunning itself as well. 

July 2008

We found 4 small chameleons on a blombos in Bath Road, Grysbok Park just before we started the hack and litter cleanup. They appeared to be sunning themselves in the winter sun.

Philippa and Lloyd Huntly with one of the chameleons seen on Lloyd's hand.

One                                                                 Two

Three                                                               Four

Bowen and Bert cut down 3 large stands of Rooikrans and Port Jackson trees. One pile was about
4.5 meters high x 6 meters long.
Una and Dianne filled 6 large bags of rubbish and litter.

June 2008

Bert Bron 'sorting out' a cut rooikrans                Some of the Reserve staff who came to help.

See more of what we did.

31 May 2008

We did a "special hack" to clear away "nests" of socially undesirable ativities continuing in Grysbok Park.

This builders rubble was dumped the night            Jemeame in front of the brush pile being made
before being the end of the week.                         which will be burnt hen dry.

Marika flaying into the invassive Manatoka.            Councilor Qually "getting a work out".

Justin and Brendon Ford next to a brush pile.     Cassy next to another.

April  2008

We cleared the central pathway through Bokmakierie Park so there are no hiding places for undesireable persons. This makes it safer for pedestrians and children. 18 bags fo litter and rubbish were filled.

Susan Wishart                                                       Roger Dalton

See what we did in 2007.

Contact Gavin Lawson  - 021 705 5224