TRANSPORT FOR CAPE TOWN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Kyran Wright Reserve Supervisor T: 021 444 1485 E: [email protected]
ZANDVLEI ESTUARY NATURE RESERVE
QUARTERLY REPORT July- September 2018
Table of Contents Page 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES ...... 2 3. CONSERVATION PLANNING ...... 2 4. FLORA ...... 2 5. FAUNA ...... 3 6. SOIL ...... 3 7. WATER ...... 4 8. FIRE ...... 4 9. PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION ...... 4 10. STAFF ...... 8 11. LAW ENFORCEMENT ...... 8 12. INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT ...... 9
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This quarter saw the appointment of a variety of new staff members (contract and permanent) as well as the acquisition of a new facility, the Kedestes project, ongoing Environmental Education programmes, the Peninsula Paddle and ongoing Reserve activities.
2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES
Highlights Highlights for the quarter included: The acquisition of the False Bay Rendezvous Hall facility as a ZENR property The appointment of a new Reserve Manager, Kyran Wright The appointment of Muizenberg East Assistant Conservation Manager, Robyn Morton The appointment of ten EPWP workers on a year-long contract The 9th annual Peninsula Paddle Challenges Challenges for the quarter included: The high volumes of litter entering the vlei during storm events, overwhelming the litter traps in place along inlet rivers Ongoing poaching concerns Security of staff when travelling through the surrounding communities given protest action and gangsterism
3. CONSERVATION PLANNING
The Biodiversity Branch Manager’s Annual Report was presented to Subcouncil 19 and 20 on 17 and 19 September, respectively. Regional Manager, Dalton Gibbs and Reserve Supervisor, Kyran Wright conducted the presentations.
4. FLORA
Invasive species: Wildwood Island: 10 days were spent clearing aliens on Wildwood Island. Vicia removal was conducted. Northern section: 20 days were spent on alien clearing in Zandvlei Nature Reserve. Vicia removal and follow-ups of Port Jackson were conducted. Westlake wetlands: 10 days were spent on alien clearing in the Westlake Wetlands. Vicia removal was conducted.
2
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
5. FAUNA
Indigenous fauna management Monthly bird count: Three bird counts were conducted on the Wednesday closest to the 15 of each month. Quarterly night count: The quarterly night count was conducted in August. A team of 3 conducted the night count.
Invasive Fauna Management One mallard was removed from ZENR.
Research The Kedestes Butterfly Conservation Project was initiated in August 2017 and will take place at Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve and False Bay Nature Reserve, the project aims to secure the future of two threatened butterfly species, the first species Kedestes barberae bunta, is a Critically Endangered skipper butterfly poised on the edge of extinction. Endemic to the Cape Flats region it has an extremely low abundance estimated at just 50 individuals and is projected to go extinct within the next five years, in the absence of immediate conservation measures. With an EOO (extent of occurrence) of 15km2 and an AOO (area of occupancy) of 1km2, it has an extremely restricted range, with only one site locality remaining.
The project will also concentrate on the Endangered Kedestes lenis lenis (EOO 1,787km2) with only five known localities. Most of the taxon's habitat on the Cape Flats has been destroyed with a reduction in habitat connectivity caused by urbanisation, alien invasive species and increased fire frequency.
The project's long term aims are to prevent K.b.bunta from becoming extinct and improve and protect the remaining habitat in a holistic approach which benefits not only the butterflies but the system as a whole. This will be achieved through in situ conservation measures such as habitat restoration and protection and reintroduction at appropriate host sites. Research will also be carried out to establish abundance trends and new host sites for future reintroductions will be explored. Ex situ measures include the establishment of a captive rearing and breeding programme which has been deemed a necessity in order to secure the future of the species.
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve has been chosen as a host site for the reintroduction of K.b.bunta, as such the team have been working on preparing the host site in anticipation for the new arrivals in October. This has entailed planting new nectar sources, removing alien invasive species and transplanting the butterflies host plant (Imperata cylindrica) to encourage its spread.
A UCT Masters student, Ms Olivia Venter, was granted permission to remove 300 Common sandprawn (Callichurus kraussi) from Zandvlei for her dissertation research. The project is seeking to determine how sandprawn impact water quality and their potential as bioremediation agents in estuaries. Ms Venter and her colleagues collected the specimens on 26 September.
6. SOIL
Nothing to report.
3
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
7. WATER
Water level management The mouth was kept open longer than usual this quarter due to the late rains experienced in the catchment. Normal, scheduled closure and opening of the mouth resumed in September. Sewage spill A sewage spill was detected entering Zandvlei via the Sand River Canal on 29 September. City Reticulation officials were immediately notified and the input of raw effluent was halted later that same day. Emergency ad-hoc water sampling conducted on 2 and 4 October determined that e.coli levels were below the acceptable benchmark for intermediate contact and as such no further action was required. Reserve staff continue to monitor the waterways daily for any signs of pollutants entering the system.
8. FIRE
Fire - Vegetation
Frog-More Estate On 19/07/2018 at 18h36, Quemic Rangers received a call from Mr Mark Arendse (Acting Reserve Manager) concerning a vegetation fire at Frog-More Estate. Upon arrival, Rangers found Lakeside Fire Department (Fire Chief Hendricks) on the scene. Regional Integrity Team assisted the fire department and the fire was contained at 19h11. Rangers remained in the area until 19h30 to attend to any possible flare ups
9. PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION
Stats summary Formal Environmental Education – from Excel Education support stats (at reserves, outreach, camps, holiday programmes etc.) Total number learners 542 Total number teachers 9
Total number adults 141 Total number scholars
Total number schools Total number volunteers 5 (non repeat) Other: Other: Exhibitions and awareness (informal) Communities Name of exhibition/s Name and number of community meetings Total estimated Total number number persons community members (children and adults) attending meetings Awareness theme Peninsula Paddle Name and number 50 type (e.g. snake, fire) of community training sessions
4
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
Total number persons Total number Wildwood circle 7 INDIRECTLY reached community members members (i.e. pamphlets attending training handed out) sessions Total number persons Other: DIRECTLY reached (i.e. talk/show) Events (concerts, open days, birdathons etc.) Guided hikes Name of event Peninsula Paddle Number of guided 13 hikes Total number Total number children attending children attending Total number adults 50 Total number adults 123 attending attending Other: Other: Resource development Activity based learning Presentations Type of intervention developed (e.g. beach clean- up, hack, count) Activities/games Total number of developed children attending Programmes Total number of developed adults attending Other: Other:
Safety Safety concerns this quarter were severe with the effects of the greater gangsterism and protest action in local communities enacting a heavy toll on the Environmental Education outreach initiatives. City staff have been targeted in the past and so caution was exercised in the areas around the Reserve offices. This unfortunately meant that staff were unable to visit local schools due to safety and the programme suffered as a result.
Environmental Education
Edu-week Edu-week is a time where People Conservation Officers come together and share their educational environmental programmes and make changes that suit the environment they work in.
Holiday Programmes Our holiday programmes were adversely affected this year due to the amount of inclement weather, security concerns in transporting learners and capacity issues due to the absence of a Reserve Manager
Environmental classes A group of learners from Steenberg and Sheraton Park area, Sikhona Lutsha Youth, visit the reserve for environmental education programmes every Monday afternoon. This group of learners are outstanding, because if the weather is unpleasant, they still attend class. The programme’s focus was Western leopard toad awareness, life skills, invasive and indigenous species Over weekends, the number of visitors increased, adult groups participated in hikes and canoe rides when the weather allowed. Visitors were also keen to do a litter clean-up or any other work to upgrade the facilities. Of concern is the consistent feedback relating to a lack of awareness of the Reserve’s existence.
Communication The People and Conservation Officer, Mark Arendse was called out to the community of Woodwind circle in the Steenberg area regarding snake sightings. Mr Arendse identified the species as a Common-slug-eater and assured the residents that the species is harmless and there is no reason for concern. The Councillor 5
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018 requested that do an environment education programme be conducted with the residents- this will take place on 24 November 2018 at the Reserve.
Peninsula Paddle Scheduled later than usual this year, the Peninsula Paddle took place on 15 September, organised and funded by the Friends of the Liesbeek. The postponement was due to the late rains that were experienced and fortunately was a great success! Approximately 50 paddlers (including two Reserve staff members) participated in the event which began at the mouth of the estuary. Reserve staff were on hand to assist with logistics throughout the day, namely to:
Transport Kayaks Assist paddlers in and out of the canals Act as Law Enforcement/a deterrent to opportunistic criminals Assist injured paddlers Provide mobile toilets for the paddlers
Volunteers The Reserve hosted five volunteers this quarter (four international volunteers).
Holiday programmes
6
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
Volunteers
Education
Peninsula Paddle
7
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
10. STAFF
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve welcomed a host of new and reassigned staff this quarter: Former intern, Robyn Morton, was appointed as Muizenberg East Conservation Assistant (CTEET) Solulele Mjandana and Edwina Thomas, two NQF Level 2 learners, are to be hosted at the Reserve for a year where they will be gaining field experience as well as completing a variety of tasks and projects in fulfilment of their qualifications 10 EPWP workers (including two supervisors) were contracted until July 2019 from August. EPWP workers provide critical capacity to the Reserve and, through experience and training, are well placed to join the conservation sector after their contract comes to an end. Kyran Wright was appointed as Reserve Supervisor for the Reserve in September. Kyran previously a CTEET employee, managed the Milnerton Racecourse and Milnerton Lagoon sections of Table Bay Nature Reserve. Zandvlei staff have been extremely welcoming to all new additions to the Reserve team.
11. LAW ENFORCEMENT (Quemic monthly reports)
Damaged Fences Near main entrance On 17/07/2018, at 18h16, Quemic Ranger while on patrol found a cut fence near the main entrance gate. . Northern Fence Line On 24/08/2018 at 11h48, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found the northern fence line cut. Rangers assisted City staff in repairing the fence. No other irregularities were found Eastern Fence Line On 03/08/2018 at 09h15, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found barbed wire not securely fixed to the fence line on the eastern fence line. Dogs in Reserve On 07/08/2018 at 10h01, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found a female person walking her dog without a leash. Rangers reported that the dog was also chasing birds. Rangers issued her with a verbal warning. Litter Clean-Up Steenberg Station – Block X On 02/08/2018 at 11h00, Quemic Rangers conducted a litter clean-up at Block X. The collected refuse was disposed of at the Zandvlei Reserve waste skip. Public Indecency Reserve Road On 18/08/2018 at 20h57, Quemic Integrity Team found a male and female person in the act of public indecency on the reserve. They were issued verbal warnings and escorted from the reserve. Vagrancy Sunrise Circle On 16/07/2018 at 12h45, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found a male person in an illegal structure. He was instructed to remove his personal belongings and Rangers escorted him from the Reserve. Rangers demolished the structure and disposed of the materials at Muizenberg landfill site Sunrise Circle On 24/07/2018 at 14h30, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found an illegal structure with no occupants inside. Rangers demolished the structure and disposed of the materials at the Strandfontein landfill site Zandvlei On 09/07/2018 at 09h30, during a litter clean-up operation, Quemic Rangers collected 9 x bags of litter from the bush along Boyes Drive. Rangers also removed a total of 29 x bags of litter from a vagrant site near Sunrise Circle. The vagrants were instructed to pack up their belongings and
8
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve | Zandvlei-natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Zandvlei City of Cape Town Quarterly Report - 1 July to 30 September 2018
escorted from the reserve. Rangers demolished the structure and disposed of the material at the Capricorn landfill site Westlake Wetlands Salt Marsh On 04/07/2018 at 11h30, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found a male person sitting at the Westlake Wetlands Salt Marsh. Rangers issued him a verbal warning and escorted him from the reserve. Promenade Road On 26/08/2018 at 11h37, Quemic Control Room received information from a Zandvlei resident concerning vagrants making a fire at the end of Promenade Road. Quemic Integrity Team responded and found a male and female person. They were instructed to remove their personal belongings and were escorted from the area. Steenberg Station – Block X On 07/08/2018 at 12h31, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found a male person at Block X. Rangers issued him with a verbal warning and escorted him from the reserve. Steenberg Station – Block X On 07/08/2018 at 12h31, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found a male person at Block X. Rangers issued him with a verbal warning and escorted him from the reserve. Steenberg Station – Block X On 03/08/2018 at 12h30, Quemic Rangers while on patrol found 2 x vagrants at Block X. Rangers issued them verbal warnings and escorted them from the reserve Illegal Fishing Sport Field On 12/07/2018 at 20h12, Quemic Control received a call from a Zandvlei resident concerning 2 x male persons fishing illegally. Quemic Regional Integrity Team responded and found 2 x male persons fishing near the sports field. They did not have valid fishing permits. Rangers issued them verbal warnings and escorted from the reserve.
12. INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT
The False Bay Rendezvous Hall and grounds have been acquired as a Reserve facility with the expiration and non-renewal of the previous lease. This facility is earmarked to play a critical role in providing a space for local community groups to utilise and will provide a critical venue for environmental education programmes going forward. It also provides a strategic opportunity in raising the profile of the Reserve on the southern shoreline of the vlei. To book the Rendezvous facility please contact Berenice via email ([email protected]) or phone (021 444 1489) to find out more about availability. Please note that the facility will be available free of charge until an appropriate tariff is assigned to the building. A rusty gate was identified in the Soralia Village section of the Muizenberg East Cluster. The issue has been noted by the Health and Safety representative for Zandvlei and will be remedied shortly. Dilapidated playground equipment on the Row open space area has been identified for replacement. A vendor is due to come out and replace the rusted and dangerous equipment in October before the Kite Festival
9