Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, recently visited the Tygerberg Nature Reserve, one of the City’s managed reserves, to explore the plant and animal life in this region of Cape Town.
‘I went out to our Tygerberg Nature Reserve recently and was once again reminded of just how privileged we are to be surrounded by natural beauty across our city. Each region has its own nature reserves and conservation areas that are so beautifully looked after for us to enjoy. I want residents to use this upcoming City Nature Challenge as an opportunity to get out to one of the reserves, or even just to take a walk in their neighbourhood.
There is so much life to capture, plants and animals we would not have noticed otherwise, and the best part is, we get to make some memories while exploring new places,’ said Alderman Andrews.
The City Nature Challenge is about finding all the wildlife in a city. All that is required of residents when making an observation is to take a photo and upload it onto the iNaturalist app.
Experts will then help identify the fauna or flora captured. Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species.
‘Capetonians contributed over 71 000 observations during the 2021 challenge, achieving the most observations internationally. Cape Town participants were able to record an impressive 4 779 species last year. The Mother City has been the winner of at least two categories for the past few years, a title we are extremely keen to defend,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Participants who make the most observations or capture the most species will win various prizes, which include accommodation from CapeNature and SANParks.
Spot prizes will also be available for anyone who participates. Residents in Cape Town are spoilt for choice with an array of nature reserves and conservation areas right on their doorstep. Guided tours at coastal and inland protected areas across the city have been arranged. Here participants will have the opportunity to capture an array of species ranging from reptiles to birds and Fynbos to marine life.
Residents are to note the following information about conservation areas around Cape Town:
City of Cape Town reserves will be open to the public free of charge on the four days. For a list of all of the City’s reserves and details about their location, facilities and attractions, please visit this link.
Cape Point will be open free of charge to registered participants of City Nature Challenge events only.
Below is a list of planned events that will take place during the challenge at various conservation areas across Cape Town:
- Tokai Park Night Walk: 29 April
- Kenilworth Racecource Conservation Area
- Bioblitz: 29 and 30 April
- Penhill Conservation Area: 29 April
- Majik Forest conservation Area: 30 April
- Jack Muller Park: 30 April
- Die Oog Conservation Area: 1 May
- Meadowridge Conservation Area: 1 May
- Hout Bay River – Lower: 2 May
- Merpeople bioblitz: 30 April to 2 May
- The Beach Co-op New Moon Cleanup and Bioblitz: 30 April
- Smitswinkel Bay marine life: 1 May
- Smitswinkel Bay marine life: 2 May
- Table Mountain National Park guided walks: 29 April and 30 April
- Vesuvius Way Conservation Area: 29 April
- Macassar East Conservation Area: 29 April
- Wolfgat Nature Reserve: 29 April
- Tygerberg Nature Reserve City Nature Challenge Night Walk: 29 April
- Bothasig Bioblitz: 30 April
- Van Schoorsdrif Night Walk: 1 May
- Arriesfontein Night walk: 2 May
- Table Bay Nature Reserve Public bioblitz: 30 April
- Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Public bioblitz: 30 April
- Bracken Nature Reserve Bioblitz: 30 April
- Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: 30 April
Residents can access a complete list of events open to the public here and are advised to confirm event details closer to the time.
Schools, universities and social groups are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to facilitate, manage and support student outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, nearby parks or other green spaces.
For more information, please contact Eleanor Hutchings at [email protected]; Tony Rebelo at [email protected] or visit the following website.
Also read:
Picture: Unsplash