The Overstrand participated for the first time in the Great Southern Bioblitz in October 2021, coming an amazing second in the Southern hemisphere as well as in the global City Nature Challenge in April/May 2022, where we came 2nd in Southern Africa and 14th in the world!
Enthusiastic locals who joined in the bioblitzes learnt how to use the Naturalist application and were rewarded with insight into the wonders of the incredibly beautiful and diverse world of our local fynbos. Citizen scientists explored the intricate beauty of the flora on the coast, in the mountains, in wetlands areas, their neighborhoods and on their own erfs in Betty’s Bay.
Many locals already had experienced knowledge of our flora – the members of the Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society (BotSoc) – who are passionate about the conservation of indigenous flora. The Chairperson of the Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society is well known Tim Attwell.
The Society’s website explains“The Kogelberg area is the most species-rich part of the Cape Floristic Region, arguably the most diverse of all the floral kingdoms on Earth, making this area the richest in terms of plant diversity in the world”.
In addition to the “third Saturday of the month” guided botanical walk that is led by Tim and the evening talks hosted by the Kogelberg BotSoc, the ongoing work of the remarkable “hackers” (more about the Hacking group in a future BBRA newsletter), there is also a Gardeners Circle. BotSoc explains: “The Gardeners Circle was started in 2018, and provides much-needed advice to newcomers on the planting, propagation and management of fynbos. The informal activities consist of visits to local gardens, chat sessions and occasionally a practical demonstration in the Harold Porter Gardens. The gardens visited are in varying stages of development, from new to established, all with something to teach both experienced and amateur gardeners. Hosts/hostesses share their journey – the challenges they faced, their successes, frustrations and hopes”.
Another valuable activity of the Gardeners Circle is to engage in “plant rescue” on plots that are being cleared for building:
“The biggest threat to the fynbos is the mass destruction of local flora and fauna that occurs when plots are cleared. An initiative has recently been started to rescue and replant the fynbos, with the permission of the owner of the land. Contrary to the general assumption, fynbos can be successfully transplanted, provided young plants are selected and as much soil surrounding the plants as possible is included. Hopefully this activity will grow and, in the near future become a required procedure before plot-clearing takes place. If we can find out about prospective clearing well before the grader arrives, we can mobilise our volunteers to save as much fynbos as possible”.
Photo: Galia Manicom of theGardeners Circle: Erica pattersonia (Mielie erica), Erica perspicua (Prince of Wales), restios and grasses successfully transplanted in my garden.
Photos by Galia Manicom: More successful “rescues”: A serruria and a bulb pelargonium
Watch out for the next edition of the newsletter as another wonderful contribution will be published by the principal of this hard-working portfolio. Ed.