Blaauwberg Nature Reserve gets Green Coast Status once more
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has once again received Green Coast Status from WESSA, now for the fifth time since 2018.
Green Coast Status for Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has once again awarded Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Green Coast Status, making it the fifth time that the nature reserve has been given the prestigious status.
The Green Coast Status complements the International Blue Flag programme as it allows municipalities to sustainably manage coastal sites outside of traditionally developed swimming beaches, explains the City of Cape Town.
On Monday, 28 October 2024, WESSA, who is the national implementer for the Green Coast Programme, presented official Green Coast Status to the City’s Environmental Management Department during a special ceremony yesterday at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
What is Green Coast Status about?
According to the City, Green Coast sites aim to protect at least one of three main coastal themes, namely: sensitive habitats, sensitive species and cultural heritage.
And Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, meeting those themes, is situated in an area that includes 2 000 hectares of pristine coastal landscape, and inland koppies and flats. It’s also home to critically endangered vegetation.
Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment said they were proud that Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was a beacon for coastal conservation in Cape Town and South Africa.
“This achievement comes as a result of the City’s Environmental Management Department and its implementing partner, the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area sparing no effort in actively monitoring; maintaining and ensuring the accessibility of this coastline, while providing opportunities for environmental education; sustainable tourism and the empowerment of local communities.” Alderman Andrews said.
“It is an amazing honour to receive this achievement for the fifth time this year. We want to thank WESSA for recognising the hard work, effort and passion of people in our Environmental Management Department and the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area.” he added.