TRANSPORT FOR CAPE TOWN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Koos Retief Biodiversity Area Manager: Milnerton T: 021 444 0315 E: [email protected]
T A B L E B A Y N A T U R E R E S E R V E
QUARTERLY REPORT
JULY – SEPTEMBER 2017
CONTENTS Pg.
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2
2 HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES ...... 2
3 CONSERVATION PLANNING ...... 3
4 FLORA ...... 4
5 FAUNA ...... 7
6 SOIL ...... 12
7 WATER ...... 12
8 FIRE ...... 16
9 PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION ...... 17
10 STAFF ...... 24
11 LAW ENFORCEMENT ...... 25
12 INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT ...... 26
APPENDIX A: MAP OF RESERVE ...... 27
APPENDIX B: PRESS ARTICLES ...... 28
The City of Cape Town’s Nature Reserves webpage can be accessed by clicking this link.
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Table Bay Nature Reserve | Tafelbaai-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo lase-Table Bay
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Protected Area Advisory Committee of the Nature Reserve had their 8th meeting on 20/07/2017 with 25 representatives from 16 organizations attended the meeting. The Nature Reserve staff hosted the Biodiversity Branch Manager and the Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator of the Branch for the annual nature reserve site visit on 15/08/20017. A new river cleaning project to the value of R170,000 was allocated for the Diep River. Plant search-and-rescue operations in Parklands and Sunningdale saved several fynbos plants from destruction under development. These plants were relocated to the Nature Reserve The Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) visited various areas in the Nature Reserve and also assisted with Spring Flower Walks. The Nature Reserve’s Coastal Section hosted its first ever Coastal Spring Walk in addition to the regular Spring Walks that are hosted every year in the Milnerton Racecourse. Vegetation conditions assessments were conducted in the Nature Reserve. A bird census counted over 2,000 birds in the Nature Reserve on 21/07/2017. Wildlife photographers published various photographs from the Nature Reserve in the local press. Rainfall was below average during this quarter and the estuary mouth of the Milnerton Lagoon closed for the first time in many years. The Rietvlei Recreational Water Area was reopened to the public. A plan was announced to improve the water quality in the Milnerton Lagoon. Another successful School Holiday Program was hosted at the Nature Reserve. A contract reserve supervisor, Reward Nzuza, was appointed by the Paardeneiland City Improvement District to manage the Zoarvlei Section. Several domestic farm animals that were illegally grazing in the Nature Reserve were impounded.
2 HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES
2.1 HIGHLIGHT: The Rietvlei Water Area was finally re-opened to the public at the beginning of this quarter after a protracted closure due to a persistent blue-green algae bloom in the previous quarter. After the re-opening of the water area, the water sports activities started to return to normal. This was also borne out by a rise in the visitor numbers recorded at the main entrance gate. The Milnerton Aquatic Club was also selected by South African Sailing to host the launch of the new Team Sailing League at the Rietvlei Water Area on 09/09/2017. This event was covered by the media and two articles appeared in the local community press.
2.2 CHALLENGE: The estuary mouth at the Milnerton Lagoon closed due to the formation of a sand bar at the mouth. This could have been caused due to less water flowing through the water during the drought. The sand bar resulted in water levels steadily rising in the lagoon until the water started spilling over Esplanade Road on the north-eastern bank of the lagoon. An environmental authorisation was obtained to use an excavator to open the sand bar, but the use of a manual approach is preferred by Nature Reserve Management. Nature Reserve staff used spades to open the mouth by hand in order to drain water out of the Milnerton Lagoon. Nature Reserve staff have also been monitoring the sand bar and water levels in the lagoon on a daily basis since the problem was observed.
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3 CONSERVATION PLANNING
3.1 The Protected Area Advisory Committee (PAAC) for Table Bay Nature Reserve had its eighth meeting on 20/07/2017. The meeting was attended by 25 representatives from 16 organisations, including:
University of Stellenbosch Friends of Rietvlei Cape Bird Club Milnerton Canoe Club CCT: Biodiversity Management Branch Milnerton Central Residents Association CCT: Environmental & Heritage Management Branch Paardeneiland City Improvement District CCT: Rivers, Stormwater & Catchment Management Branch Sunset Links Homeowners Association CCT: Subcouncil 1 Table View Ratepayers Association Dolphin Beach Body Corporate Western Province Freshwater Angling Association Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area Woodbridge Island Body Corporate
Some of the items on the agenda included:
Rietvlei hydrology and geo-hydrology study and hydrodynamic model presentation by Mr Hanief Ally, Mr Ross Campbell, & Dr Liz Day Annual water quality review report by Mr Koos Retief on behalf of Ms Candice Haskins Milnerton Lagoon water quality project feedback by Mr Richard Nell Milnerton Racecourse track re-alignment, land swap and restoration project presentation by Mr Kyran Wright Diep Estuary Action Plan feedback by Mr Koos Retief
3.2 The Branch Manager’s annual reserve site visit to the Table Bay Nature Reserve took place on 15/08/2017 (see Figures 1-2). Various projects and management sections were visited, including the: fynbos restoration project at the Milnerton Racecourse Section; rare and endangered plant monitoring sites in the Coastal Section; the Zoarvlei project partnership with the Paardeneiland City Improvement District; and the Fynbos Corridor expansion north of the Table Bay Nature Reserve. Figure 1. The Paardeneiland City Improvement District control room.
Figure 2. Field visit at the Coastal Section which is currently managed by the intern reserve supervisor Hester Pentz (far right).
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4 FLORA
4.1 Water hyacinth clearing in the waterways of the Diep River was halted in this quarter due to the employment tender coming to an end. The water hyacinth in the river can cause blockages in the flow of the water and lead to flooding if not removed. The water hyacinth also impacts recreational activities such as canoeing in the Milnerton Lagoon. Large expanses of water hyacinth can also block sunlight penetration into the water and cause aquatic organisms to die out as a result. A new river cleaning project was approved for the Diep River system to the value of R170, 000. Implementation of this project will start in the next quarter.
4.2 Invasive alien vegetation was cleared in the following management sections of the Nature Reserve (see Figures 3-5): Zoarvlei Section, including Caster-oil plants (Ricinus communis), Manatoka (Myoporum tenuifolium), Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops), Lavatera (Malva arborea), various palms, Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), and Gum trees (Eucalyptus species). Waves’ Edge Wetland, including 600 Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis). Coastal Section, including Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops), Manatoka (Myoporum tenuifolium), Lavatera (Malva arborea), Vicia sativa, Echium vulgare, Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), and various Aloes and Yuccas. Figure 3. Palms removed from Wave's Edge Wetland.
Figure 4. Removal of invasive palms in Zoarvlei Section. Figure 5. Removal of invasive gum trees in Zoarvlei Section.
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4.3 Plant search-and-rescue was conducted in various new and proposed development sites in Parklands and Sunningdale, where populations of indigenous fynbos species would be lost under construction. Some rescued plants from Parklands, which included Brunsvigia orientalis, were relocated to the Diep River Section. Another search-and-rescue effort in Sunningdale saved several individuals of Lobostemon fruticosus, Struthiola dodecandra, Eriocephalus africanus, Phylica plumosa, Lachenalia rubida, Agathosma imbricata, Protea scolymocephala, Leucadendron salignum, Serruria pedunculata, Ruschia macowanii, Erica cerinthoides, and Gladiolus palustris. Some of these plants were re-planted in the Diep River Section and some in the Zoarvlei Section (see Figures 6-9).
Figure 6. Several plant species rescued from Sunningdale area. Figure 7. Reward Nzuza rescuing plants.
Figure 8. A Brunsvigia orientalis that was rescued. Figure 9. Students planting rescued plants in the Diep River Section.
4.4 The Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) visited various sections of the Nature Reserve, including the Zoarvlei section where 63 species were identified of which 20 species were new records for this Section. CREW started visiting the Coastal Section in 2011 and revisited the site every year except in 2012. Over the years they have found a total of 179 plant species and 10 Red List (Endangered) species in the Coastal Section. CREW also educates members of the public about identifying indigenous species as well as monitoring threatened and endangered flora (see Figures 10-11).
Figure 10. Members of CREW in the Coastal Section. Figure 11. Members of CREW and staff in Zoarvlei Section.
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4.5 Vegetation condition assessments were conducted in various sections of the Table Bay Nature Reserve, including the Diep River, Zoarvlei, Rietvlei, Coastal and Milnerton Racecourse Sections. Biodiversity Specialist Dr Pat Holmes and Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Leighan Mossop assisted Nature Reserve staff with the field assessments and mapping work (see Figures 12-14). The results of the assessments will be compiled in maps and used to prioritise future vegetation restoration efforts. A vegetation restoration facility at the Westlake Conservation Centre will propagate plants and seeds for vegetation restoration efforts on various nature reserves. A fynbos restoration project in a portion of the Milnerton Racecourse Section is currently being implemented. This project forms part of a track re-alignment and land swap agreement between the City of Cape Town and the racecourse owner.
Figure 12. Field visit in a degraded area of the Zoarvlei Section. Figure 13. Habitat condition key.
Figure 14. Extract from the draft Habitat Condition Map of the Rietvlei Section.
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5 FAUNA
5.1 An integrated water bird census was conducted on 21/07/2017. The census was done by the Nature Reserve staff, covering 11 surveys sections. The water birds numbered a total of 2,177 birds comprising of 43 species (see Figures 15-17 for details).
21 species with single-figure counts (totalling 72 birds) accounted for 3,3% of the water bird census, including: one African marsh harrier, Purple swamphen, Three-banded plover and Malachite 72 kingfisher each, two Blackheaded heron, Knob- billed duck, Swift tern, Pied kingfisher, and Unidentified ducks each, three Yellowbilled egret, 538 four Purple heron, Black-crowned night heron, Spurwinged goose, Pied avocet, Water thicknee, Mallard hybrid, and Unidentified waders each, six Grey heron and Hottentot teal each, seven African black duck, and eight Hadeda ibis. 15 species with double-figure counts (totalling 538 birds) accounted for 24,7% of the water bird census, including: 12 Whitebreasted cormorant and Little 1567 egret each, 16 African spoonbill, 20 White-faced duck, 21 Cape wagtail, 24 Cape teal, 28 Common moorhen, 31 Little grebe, 33 African black oystercatcher, 34 Redbilled teal, 39 Blackwinged stilt, 43 Sacred ibis, 58 Reed cormorant, 75 Blacksmith lapwing, and 92 Cape shoveller.
7 species with triple-figure counts (totalling 1,567 21 species with single-figure counts birds) accounted for 72% of the water bird census, including: 133 Kelp gull, 167 Egyptian goose, 176 15 species with double-figure counts Yellowbilled duck, 184 Greater flamingo, 243 7 species with triple-figure counts Redknobbed coot, 277 Hartlaub's gull, and 387 White pelican. Figure 15. Relative contribution of low, medium and high counts.
Zoarvlei Ibis & Aliens, 4 spoonbill, Cormorant South, 110 Herons, 67 s, 70 Zoarvlei egrets and North, 17 Potsda Plover & darter, 31 m Diep River, waders, WWTW 253 181 , 129 Lagoon South, 164 North Vlei, 168 Gulls & Ducks & Terns, 412 Geese, 534 South Vlei, Lagoon 139 North, 323 Flamingoes , 184
Central Pan, Fish 677 Pelicans, predators, Coots & Milnerton Grebes, 31 387 4 Moorhens, Channel, 91 272 Dolphin Beach, 106
Figure 16. Relative contribution from each survey section. Figure 17. Relative contribution from the various bird groups.
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5.2 A Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) capture was conducted at Milnerton Racecourse to lower their population. Previous surveys indicated that the numbers of Cape grysbok in the Milnerotn Racecourse now exceed 30 individuals. This is an area of less than 20 hectares, where there are no natural predators to reduce antelope numbers. The impact of the grysbok browsing on the endangered Cape flats sand fynbos is extreme and needs to be managed by exporting some animals to reduce the pressure on the fynbos. Nature Reserve staff and colleagues from the City of Cape Town captured four antelope, three of which were intended to go to Kenilworth Racecourse. However, after the animals were captured, the owners of Kenilworth Racecourse were concerned that the animals could convey diseases to the horses at Kenilworth. The four antelope were then microchipped and released back in Milnerton Racecourse (see Figures 18-19). A new strategy on where to relocate the excess animals will have to be considered.
Figure 18. The capture net used to capture the Cape grysbok. Figure 19. A Cape grysbok ram being removed from the capture net.
5.3 Various interesting animal sightings were recorded during this quarter, including White-faced whistline ducks and a Knob-billed duck (see Figure 20 below), and Black-crowned nights herons, Cape dwarf chameleons, a Caracal (see overleaf), and a Steenbok (see second overleaf).
Figure 20. White-face whistling ducks (left) and Knob-billed duck (right) at the Potsdam Waste Water Treatment Works adjacent to the Nature Reserve.
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5.3 Various interesting animal sightings continued…
Figure 21. White-faced whistling duck. Figure 22. Black-crowned night heron.
Figure 23. Cape dwarf chameleon.
Figure 24. A dripping wet caracal (rooikat) in Rietvlei (photo by Jan and Frieda Prinsloo).
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5.3 Various interesting animal sightings continued…
Figure 25. Baby angulate tortoise.
Figure 27. A butterfly. Figure 26. Photo caption in the local community press.
Figure 28. Steenbok in the Fynbos Corridor. Figure 29. Cape dwarf chameleon.
Figure 30. Cape dwarf chameleon.
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5.4 Wildlife photographers, Frieda and Jan Prinsloo, published several photo captions in the local press this quarter, including of a Marsh harrier, a Cape clawless otter (below) and a Caracal (see Appendix B).
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6 SOIL
Nothing to report.
7 WATER
7.1 Rainfall recorded in the Table Bay Nature Reserve remained below average during this quarter. The total rainfall during this quarter was 87.5mm at Rietvlei and 128.5mm at Milnerton Racecourse. A third rain gauge was also installed at the Zoarvlei Section, and this information will be collated in the rainfall records from the next quarter onwards. Figure 31below indicates the monthly rainfall records of Rietvlei and Milnerton Racecourse in 2017 plotted over the average rainfall pattern. Figure 32 below indicates the accumulation curves for Rietvlei and Milnerton Racecourse, plotted over the average rainfall accumulation curve.
140 500
450 120 400
100 350
300 80 250 60 200
40 150 100 20 50
0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average Rietvlei Racecourse Average Rietvlei Racecourse
Figure 31. Monthly rainfall records of Rietvlei and Milnerton Figure 32. Rainfall accumulation curves of Rietvlei and Milnerton Racecourse in 2017 plotted over the average rainfall pattern. Racecourse in 2017 plotted over the average accumulation curve.
7.2 The estuary mouth at the Milnerton Lagoon closed due to the formation of a sand bar at the mouth. This resulted in water levels rising steadily until the water started spilling over Esplanade Road on the north-eastern bank of the lagoon. On 12/09/2017 a decision was made to attempt to breach the mouth of the estuary manually by cutting a small channel through the sand bar with spades to allow the water to start running toward the sea. This option was selected because the use of an excavator on the beach is viewed as undesirable and it requires environmental authorisation. Environmental authorisation was however obtained to use an excavator to open the sand bar, but on 14/09/2017 the estuary eventually breached the sand bar naturally and the water flowed out to sea freely (see Figure 33 left). Nature Reserve staff have bene monitoring the sand bar and water levels in the lagoon on a daily basis.
Figure 33. The estuary started to breach naturally on 14/09/2017.
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7.3 The Rietvlei Water Area was reopened to the public at the beginning of this quarter after a protracted closure due to a blue-green algae bloom in the previous quarter. Despite the re-opening of the water area, the Milnerton Aquatic Club suffered crippling effects from the closure. The club, which is based on the shore of the Rietvlei Water Area, was unable to use the water at all in the previous quarter. As a result they suffered financial losses from memberships that were not renewed. The livelihoods of several service providers at the club were also disrupted. Despite the fact the Nature Reserve management was providing as much information to the public as possible, a media enquiry was nevertheless raised by the Club. City of Cape Town officials responded to the media enquiry and an article appeared in the local community press (see Figure 34 right). After the re-opeing of the water area, the water sports activities started to return to normal. This was also borne out by the visitor numbers recorded at the main entrance gate (see Visitors and Income below). The club was also selected by South African Sailing to host the launch of the new Team Sailing Leage at the Rietvlei Water Area on 09/09/2017. This event was covered by the media and two articles appeared in the local community press (see overleaf). 7.4 Water quality concerns at the Milnerton Lagoon were addressed at a public meeting on 23/08/2017 by Mayco member for the Area North, Cllrs Suzette Little, as well as other City of Cape Town officials. The pollution in the Milnerton Lagoon is primarily caused by raw sewage that enters the open stormwater drainage systems upstream and flow down to the lagoon. Some of this pollution comes from areas where backyard dwellers without direct access to sanitation systems (flushing toilets) empty their night soil buckets into the open stormwater canals. Other sources of sewage contamination could also include existing sewage reticulation and pumping systems that are not working optimally and occasionally spilling over into the stormwater drainage network. Public health warning signs have been placed at the Milnerton Lagoon for some time and the Milnerton Canoe Club have been advised that they should not use the water, or to do so at their own risk. The Nature Reserve’s Advisory Committee have also been requesting that various plans to address the pollution sources be prioritised and funded. The City’s pollution abatement plans include capping and/or diverting open stormwater channels, as well as reviewing sanitation systems and bulk sewer infrastructure.
An article about the public meeting appeared in the local community press (see second overleaf below). Figure 34. Article in the local press.
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8 FIRE
8.1 Wildfires occurred in several management sections of the Nature Reserve, including in the Milnerton Lagoon section on 24/08/17 and in the Rietvlei Section on 28/08/17. All fire boundaries were mapped with a GPS. Due to the water restrictions, wildfire fighting efforts will be under pressure in the coming summer season. In some instances fires will have to be fought without the use of water at all. Human life and property will always be protected as a first priority, but in some instances vegetation will be left to burn out. Residents can assist the City by reporting illegal fires such as when displaced people make fires in the bushes are alongside roads (see Figure 35 right). Figure 35. Illegal occupant making a fire in Zoarvlei.
Figure 36. Wildfire in the Milnerton Lagoon section on 24/08/17.
Figure 37. Wildfire in the Rietvlei Section on 28/08/17.
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9 PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION
9.1 Stakeholder Engagement
9.1.1 An informative talk on Zoarvlei was presented at the recent evening meeting of the Friends of Rietvlei on 24/08/2017 by contract reserve supervisor, Reward Nzuza. The Paardeneiland City Improvement District recently appointed Reward through the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust to manage the Zoarvlei Section.
9.1.2 Several Spring Walks were hosted in the Milnerton Racecourse by contract reserve supervisor, Kyran Wright, during this quarter. Kyran is employed by the Milnerton Racecourse Environmental Management Committee through the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust. He manages the Milnerton Racecourse and Lagoon Sections.
9.1.3 The first ever Coastal Spring Walk near Sunset Beach was hosted by intern reserve supervisor, Hester Pentz, on 20/09/2017. The Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wild Flowers (CREW) assisted Hester to educate the public on the importance of protecting the endangered Cape Flats dune strandveld (see Figure 38 below). Hester is employed by the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust on an internship programme and she manages the Coastal Section. Hester’s contract is due to end in the next quarter.
Figure 38. CREW members explaining how to distinguish between Ruschia species at the Coastal Spring Walk.
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9.1.4 Mandela Day was commemorated on 18/07/2017 by Nature Reserve staff and colleagues of the Biodiversity Branch by constructing a leisure area for the Van Schoorsdrift community. A table with benches was assembled from recycled and re-used materials (see Figure 39 below).
Figure 39. Constructing a table and benches on Mandela Day.
9.1.5 A school holiday program was presented from 5-12/07/2017. Children were educated through interactive activities, crafts, and lessons on various topics such as antelopes, birds, fire safety, spiders, crocodiles, and vegetation restoration. Some of the children have been participating in the holiday programs for the last three years (see Figure 40 below).
Figure 40. Regulars in the school holiday programme.
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9.1.6 Internal Meetings
Table Bay Nature Reserve staff attended no less than 12 official internal meetings during this quarter: 14/07/2017: Habitat Condition Assessment (Rietvlei and Coastal Sections); 20/07/2017: NQF5 Environmental Management Skills Programme Phase 5 Induction Briefing; 24/07/2017: North Region Health & Safety and Management meetings; 25/07/2017: Discussion regarding closing of Rietvlei during environmental hazards; 04/08/2017: Invasive Species Management Annual Plan of Operation meeting; 11/08/2017: Habitat Condition Assessment (Milnerton Racecourse, Diep River and Zoarvlei Sections); 15/08/2017: Annual Reserve Site Visit of the Branch Manager; 21/08/2017: Integrated Performance Management review; 24/08/2017: Branch Management meeting; 31/08/2017: North Regional Management meeting; and 22/09/2017: Flora Management Committee meeting.
9.1.7 External Meetings
Table Bay Nature Reserve staff attended no less than 15 official external meetings during this quarter: 20/07/2017: Protected Area Advisory Committee meeting; 20/07/2017: Blaauwberg Development Area Environmental Liaison Committee; 25/07/2017: Area Manager presentation at Friends of Liesbeek Annual General Meeting; 27/07/2017: Freshwater Fishes and Climate Change Workshop at Kirstenbosch Research Centre; 28/07/2017: Milnerton Racecourse Environmental Management Committee; 14/08/2017: Milnerton Wooden Bridge planning meeting; 24/08/2017: Presentation of contract reserve Supervisor, Reward Nzuza, to the Friends of Rietvlei evening meeting; 25/08/2017: Milnerton Racecourse Environmental Management Committee; 28/08/2017: Rivergate Development Phase 1B-1 Joint Site Inspection; 30/08/2017: Cape Peninsula University of Technology interviews for work-integrated learning student placements for 2018; 01/09/2017: Ramsar City Accreditation workshop; 14/09/2017: Blaauwberg Development Area Environmental Liaison Committee; 19/09/2017: Proposed Ward Allocations workshop at Subcouncil 3; 21/09/2017: Area Manager presented Branch Manager’s Annual Report at Subcouncil 3; and 29/09/2017: Milnerton Racecourse Environmental Management Committee.
9.2 Benefit to People
9.2.1 Rietvlei Education Centre Usage
The use of the Rietvlei Education Centre, excluding formal environmental education programmes, generated 43 person days of benefit to people over four event days.
DATE GROUP ACTIVITY PERSON DAYS 17/07/2017 CTEET NQF 2 learners Learner support 8 20/07/2017 Blaauwberg Development Area ELC Meeting 15 24/08/2017 Friends of Rietvlei Evening talk 10 14/09/2017 Blaauwberg Development Area ELC Meeting 10 TOTAL 43
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9.2.2 Rietvlei Boma Usage
The use of the Rietvlei Boma generated at least 1,118 person days of benefit to people over 41 event days.
DATE GROUP ACTIVITY PERSON DAYS 3-4/07/2017 Khoisan Implementation First Aid training 14 5-7/07/2017 99 Table Bay Nature Reserve staff Holiday programme 10-12/07/2017 97 17-21/07/2017 150 Cape Peninsula University of Technology B.Tech Nature Conservation classes 25-28/07/2017 120 Snake handling, identification and 29-30/07/2017 Cape Reptile Institute 70 awareness course CCT: Environmental Management NQF5 1-3/08/2017 Manage Hazardous Substances 36 Skills Programme 10-11/08/2017 CCT Water & Sanitation Department HRBP Strategy Planning Workshop 38 CCT: Environmental Management NQF5 16-17/08/2017 Learner support 24 Skills Programme 23/08/2017 CCT: Area Economic Development Meeting 25 24/08/2017 39 SANCCOB Environmental Education programme 29/08/2017 40 30/08/2017 Cape Peninsula University of Technology Student interviews 20 31/08/2017 SANCCOB Environmental Education programme 53 Nature Conservation intern 01/09/2017 Cape Town Environmental Education Trust 25 development day 11/09/2017 CBC St. Johns Grade 5 classes Arbour day EE programme 59 12/09/2017 SANCCOB Environmental Education programme 59 12/09/2017 SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Public open day/Info sharing meeting 20 15/09/2017 26 SANCCOB Environmental Education programme 18/09/2017 24 20/09/2017 Cape Peninsula University of Technology Classes 30 22/09/2017 CCT: Solid Waste Management Staff planning meeting 8 26/09/2017 SANCCOB Environmental Education programme 27 28/09/2017 CCT: Solid Waste Management Selection Committee meeting 15 TOTAL 1,118
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9.2.3 Environmental Education and Outreach
Environmental Education and Outreach generated 340 person days of benefit over ten event days. See Figures 41-45 overleaf.
TEACHER PERSON- DATE GROUP(S) LEARNERS PROGRAMME +ADULTS DAYS SANCCOB – Career week Nature Conservation career 03/07/2017 5 0 5 programme presentation & guided walk 05/07/2017 27 0+6 33 Bokkie Bonanza 06/07/2017 26 0+4 30 Seabird Secrets 07/07/2017 30 0+6 36 Fire Busters Holiday programme 10/07/2017 24 0+11 35 Spectacular Spiders 11/07/2017 27 0+7 34 Come visit for a while, Crocodile 12/07/2017 21 0+7 28 Replant, Rewild, Reconnect Cape Leopard Trust Holiday 14/07/2017 17 2+3 22 Replant, Rewild, Reconnect Group Bloubergridge Primary 14/08/2017 14 1 15 Guided bird walk Science Club 23/08/2017 CREW - Zoarvlei 0+17 17 CREW visit to Zoarvlei St Josephs’ school LSEN 24/08/2017 34 5+0 39 Intro to reserve and bird walk (SANCCOB) Blouvlei primary LSEN 29/08/2017 38 2+0 40 Intro to reserve and bird walk (SANCCOB) 31/08/2017 Tembaletu LSEN (SANCCOB) 43 10+0 53 Intro to reserve and bird walk Inkwenkwezi Secondary 01/09/2017 78 1+0 79 School (gr10) Arbour day presentation and tree planting 05/09/2017 Sinenjongo High School 83 2+0 85 11/09/2017 CBC St Johns Gr.5 56 3+0 59 Bloubergridge Primary Arbour day programme 11/09/2017 14 1+0 15 Science club
12/09/2017 Astra school LSEN (SANCCOB) 48 11+0 59 Introduction to reserve and bird 15/09/2017 Filia school LSEN (SANCCOB) 22 4+0 26 walk International Coastal clean-up – 16/09/2017 Bothasig scouts & public 0 0+17 17 Milnerton Lagoon mouth OFFSITE Arbour day talk at school 18/09/2017 Bloubergridge Primary school 600 20+0 620 assembly Beacon school LSEN 18/09/2017 22 3+0 25 Intro to reserve and bird walk (SANCCOB) 20/09/2017 CREW – Coastal section 0+7 7 Spring walk – coastal section (HP) Mary Kihn School LSEN 26/09/2017 23 0+4 27 Intro to reserve and bird walk (SANCCOB) TOTALS 1,252 154 1,406 TOTALS
*LSEN groups are learners with special educational needs.
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Figure 41. Tembaletu school on a bird watching outing. Figure 42. Children at the Spectacular Spider holiday programme.
Figure 43. Fire Busters holiday programme with Clinton Roux and Figure 44. Scholar from Beacon School experiencing bird watching Trevor Rieb. for the first time (photo: S. Adams).
Figure 45. Learners demonstrating the circumference of the biggest tree in the world during an Arbour Day programme.
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9.3 Visitors and Income
9.3.1 Income from visitors at the Rietvlei Water Area was R31,394 from 1,886 recorded visitors during this quarter. The number of visitors increased after a long decline that followed a fish die-off in Rietvlei in November 2016 and a blue-green algal bloom that lasted from March to June 2017. Despite this recent increase, the visitor numbers are still much lower than the numbers recorded in 2016 (see figure 46-47).
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Apr-10 Apr-11 Apr-12 Apr-13 Apr-14 Apr-15 Apr-16 Apr-17
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Figure 46. Trend in monthly cash income at the Rietvlei Water area since 2010.
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Apr-10 Apr-11 Apr-12 Apr-13 Apr-14 Apr-15 Apr-16 Apr-17
Recorded visitors/month Linear trend
Figure 47. Trend in monthly visitor numbers at the Rietvlei Water Area since 2010.
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10 STAFF
10.1 Staff establishment
10.1.1 The Paardeneiland City Improvement District (PECID) agreed to fund a three-year project to employ a reserve supervisor to manage the Zoarvlei Section. This section comprises wetlands that lie between the residential areas of Rugby and Brooklyn to the east, and the Paardeneiland industrial area to the west. Intern reserve supervisor, Reward Nzuza (right), who was already working in the Zoarvei Section, was appointed in this contract position. Reward’s post is administered by the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET) and seconded to the Table Bay Nature Reserve. Reward presented an informative talk on Zoarvlei at the recent evening meeting of the Friends of Rietvlei on 24/08/2017. Figure 48. Reward Nzuza rescuing plants from a development site.
10.2 Training and development
10.2.1 Training of permanent and temporary staff at the Table Bay Nature Reserve amounted to no less than 24 person days over 10 training event days, including the following interventions:
Number of Number of Person Date(s) Course days x learners = days 12-14/07/2017 Growing Together Workshop 3 3 9 1-3/08/2017 NQF5 Environmental Management Skills Programme 3 2 6 16-17/08/2017 NQF5 Environmental Management Learner Support 2 2 4 7/08/2017 CTEET Mini Fynbos Forum 1 4 4 1/09/2017 Intern Development Day 1 1 1 TOTALS 10 24
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11 LAW ENFORCEMENT
11.1 Domestic farm animals, including goats and cattle, that were were illegally grazing in the Diep River Section were impounded on several occasions during joint operations with Law Enforcement. A total of 44 goats and five cattle were impounded during this quarter (see Figure 49 below). The Diep River Section contains endangered Cape Flats sand fynbos. The intensive grazing of cattle and goats are threatening the future survival of this vegetation in the Nature Reserve.
Figure 49. Goats being herded into a transport box.
11.2 Illegal occupants and illegal structures were removed from various sections of the Nature Reserve during this quarter, including at the Coastal Section, Diep River, Milnerton Lagoon and Zoarvlei. Law Enforcement issued fines to illegal occupants for transgressing the local by-laws. It is ilegal to build any structures, overnight, or make fires on public land (see Figure 50 below). Some illegal occupants become violent when confronted as Figure 51 below illustrates. A person attacked a Nature Reserve staff member in a vehicle and broke the windscreen. The attacker was later arrested and charged with attempted assault and causing damage to Council property.
Figure 50. Inspector Brice fines an illegal occupant, while intern Figure 51. The windscreen of a council vehicle broken by a violent reserve supervisor Hester Pentz is cleaning up the area. illegal occupant.
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12 INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT
12.1 All vehicles, small plant and equipment were serviced and maintained according service schedules.
12.2 Various litter cleanups were conducted and public walls facing the Nature Reserve that had any graffiti on them were painted over (seeFigure 52-53).
Figure 52. Litter cleaning. Figure 53. Covering of graffiti. 12.3 The stormwater canals leading into the Zoarvlei Section were cleaned by a team assigned by the City’s Sormwater Management Department (see Figures 54-55 below).
Figure 54. Stormwater cleaning team. Figure 55. Stormwater cleaning team. 12.4 Various access control cable booms that were vandalised by the public were replaced.
Figure 56. Vandalised access control cable boom. Figure 57. New access control cable boom.
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APPENDIX A: MAP OF THE MANAGEMENT SECTIONS OF THE NATURE RESERVE
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APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL PRESS ARTICLES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE NATURE RESERVE
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