Cape Town - The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve will be the first coastal site in South Africa to receive the Green Coast Status Award.
The award, presented by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) on Friday, is in recognition of the commitment by the City’s environment management department and its implementing partner, the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area.
The nature reserve is situated in an area that includes approximately 2 000 hectares of pristine coastal landscape, is home to critically endangered vegetation and boasts a 7 km coastline.
“The event is in recognition of work put into preserving the unique flora and fauna along its coastline while providing opportunities for environmental education, sustainable tourism and the empowerment of local communities,” said national coastal co-ordinator Robert Slater.
The Green Coast Status Award flag was also handed to the nature reserve.
Green Coast is Wessa’s newest eco-label, awarded to coastal sites in South Africa where a sensitive species, habitat or cultural heritage site is being sustainably managed, leading to increased tourism along the coastline.
The nature reserve is situated in an area that includes approximately 2 000 hectares of pristine coastal landscape, is home to critically endangered vegetation and boasts a 7 km coastline. Picture: Supplied
The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has shown ongoing commitment to conserving and monitoring its sensitive coastal areas.
“The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has now set the bar for Wessa Green Coast sites to come. The Wessa Green Coast site will bring tourists who have an interest in conservation and sustainable tourism,” said Slater.
WESSA will review the status annually.
The Blaauwberg Hill at the nature reserve is one of the few viewpoints in the world from where you can see two proclaimed World Heritage Sites, namely, Table Mountain and Robben Island.
Mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron said communities played a vital role in protecting our biodiversity. “As the most biodiverse city in the world, we have a responsibility to conserve and protect this unique biodiversity, but we cannot do it alone,” he said.
The award was presented by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) on Friday. Picture: Supplied
“Valuable partnerships with local communities and organisations enable us to sustainably manage our precious fauna and flora.
"The City cannot uphold the Green Coast Status on our own. We need the support of our communities and organisations to ensure the success of the Green Coast Programme. We think particularly of our next generation of nature enthusiasts."
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