A locally based non-profit organisation (NPO) has received two generous donations to help boost their volunteer conservation activities in the Silvermine Nature Area.
Friends of Silvermine Nature Area’s (FOSNA) newly elected chairman and conservation expert, Dave Balfour says the donations are a vote of appreciation for the work that volunteer conservation groups are doing for the community of Fish Hoek and Clovelly.
The first donation was from the Fish Hoek Valley Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (FHVRRA), which donated R5 000.
“This donation has been set aside to support the ongoing management and maintenance of the Lower Silvermine Wetlands that the FOSNA members engage in,” Mr Balfour said.
According to the chairman of FHVRRA, Brian Youngblood, they donated the money to FOSNA because one of the themes they support is community projects with beautification.
“FOSNA was in need of assistance with labour and material costs to keep wheelchair access trails clear of vegetation and to remove reeds blocking the Silvermine River’s flow,” he told the Echo.
The second donation the NPO received was from the Fish Hoek-based surf paddlers in the amount of R20 000.
Dawid Mocke, representing the surf paddling community, said: “We really appreciate the effort that FOSNA volunteers put into helping to conserve and maintain the integrity and beauty of the Lower Silvermine Wetlands for the benefit of all residents in the valley, it’s a great public resource that many of us use.”
According to Mr Balfour, the funds will be split between their work in the catchment and the wetlands, as they see the ecological continuity between the mountains and the sea as integral to their work.
“As we work closely with SANParks and the City of Cape Town who are the management authorities for these areas, we will also be engaging with them to guide our work programme,” he said.
Immediate priorities Mr Balfour said, are litter management, infrastructure provision and maintenance and alien plant control.
“We are also looking into opportunities to partner with other organisations and local schools to increase the value of the Silvermine Nature Area to school-going children,” he added.
FOSNA works closely with City of Cape Town staff to try and minimise the negative effects of sewage overflow into the wetlands. Higher up in the catchment, their work has resulted in establishing the downloadable Flora Documentation App, a quick-access floral reference guide on your smartphone to help you identify flowers.
They also established an alien plant removal programme and an active hiking club.
Over time, they have raised funds to support SANParks by upgrading boardwalks and providing shelter for the parking guards at the Silvermine dam and at the site to the east of Ou Kaapse Weg.
“Later this year, we intend to embark on a programme to increase awareness of – and hopefully participation – in the activities of FOSNA,” Mr Balfour said.
If you would like to join FOSNA or find out more about their conservation, educational and recreational activities, or if you wish to donate to this local conservation group, contact Dave Balfour at dbalfour@mweb.co.za or on 082 803 6436.
