A “hackathon” in collaboration with the Princess Vlei Forum, Botanical Society and Nature Connect was held to remove invasive Port Jackson trees in the greater Princess Vlei conservation area on Saturday 9 April.
Organiser of the event Emma Oliver, who is also the secretary of the Princess Vlei Forum, says around 45 to 60 people joined in the biodiversity hack and clean-up in Princess Vlei, near the Retreat Civic Centre.
“The event was a collaboration with the Botanical Society, who are experts, as well as the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) Nature Connect. Residents from Retreat and Grassy Park came with their saws and equipment to assist with clearing of Port Jackson trees.”
Oliver added that while they were removing invasive vegetation they also noticed how the area suffered from illegal dumping. “The area has good fynbos which is worth reviving. The area has also suffered from illegal dumping and we removed the alien vegetation and we picked up a load of things.”
Oliver stresses the importance to taking good care of nature. “This is part of the greater Princess Vlei conservation area and it is worth looking after every bit of nature. It’s an area of good biodiversity and the Princess Vlei Forum is 100% committed to restoration work.”
Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate says the “hackathon” aimed to remove alien vegetation and rubble illegally dumped in the Princess Vlei Park area.
“The hackathon is part of our ongoing commitment to remove the alien Port Jackson trees from within the Princess Vlei Park area. It allows us to experience and enjoy the fynbos growing in the area.”
Southgate says homeless people often use the overgrown area to build illegal structures.
“We have found over time that (homeless people) have used the overgrown area to erect structures where they live and use as a hideout as they are not visible from the street. From the objects that we removed it was clear that they also use the area to sort goods and burn wires which one assumes could be stolen copper.
“Making fires poses a serious threat to the surrounding residential area and removing the alien trees would hopefully serve as a deterrent and also means better accessibility for the park rangers.”
Southgate encouraged residents to take ownership of their environment.
“I would like to encourage more local residents to join us when we have these types of activities, especially youth, so they can learn the significance of taking ownership and responsibility for the environment.”
In a social media post Nature Connect said Port Jackson invasive plants had been threatening endangered vegetation.
“Today our biodiversity heroes, the River Ambassadors, joined The Princess Vlei Forum and Botanical Society Kirstenbosch branch for alien hacking.
“Port Jackson invasive plants have been threatening the endangered vegetation at the Cape Flats dunes Strandveld, so our team decided to come to the rescue by eradicating Port Jackson in the greater Princess Vlei Conservation area.”
