The CPBMJTT aims to incorporate the perspectives of community members and stakeholders instead of enforcing topdown solutions in their community dialogues to strengthen community engagement and develop customized solutions for baboon management. Led by representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, the meetings will empower community members to suggest relevant interventions and reflect the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The CPBMJTT is committed to transparency and inclusivity, and the community can access the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan readily on their websites.
Get ready to embrace the beauty of Cape Town’s biodiversity by participating in the global City Nature Challenge from April 26 to 29, 2024. All it takes is a snapshot of indigenous flora or fauna uploaded to the iNaturalist app, and Cape Town’s rich natural preserves and conservation zones offer abundant options for observation. Beyond a competition, this challenge is a chance for residents and tourists to marvel at the city’s ecological wealth and contribute to a colossal record of local wildlife data.
Kyle Goetsch, a landscape photographer from Cape Town, captures the city’s natural beauty through his captivating images. His viral Milky Way over Lion’s Head photograph required extensive planning, research, and patience. Goetsch’s photography process involves monitoring weather applications, moon phases, and rare events, and his love for adventure has led him on various exciting journeys. He shares his expertise by conducting workshops and private lessons, making him a true representative of the craft.
Experience the wonder of a family of Common Hippopotamus living in the heart of Cape Town’s False Bay Nature Reserve. These hippos have been shaping the wetland ecology under the City’s Biodiversity Management team’s vigilant supervision since 1981, and their survival and thriving are a tribute to the relentless work of conservationists. Hippos are native to Africa and face multiple threats, including habitat loss, poaching, humanwildlife conflict, climate change, and uncontrolled trade, making the City’s commitment to preserving this distinct population all the more crucial.
**South African Communities Bolstered by Sustainable Forest Management Initiatives**
South Africa has made significant progress in sustainable forest management since the 1996 White Paper on Sustainable Forest Management. The government has shifted its focus to enabling communities to control their forests, promoting community involvement in forestry through the Commercial Forestry Masterplan and transferring 27 plantations throughout the country. Ongoing support is provided to communities by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, ensuring the sustainability of these plantations while empowering local communities. This transfer represents a commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and justice for future generations.
South Africa’s Leap Forward in Environmental Stewardship: The Inception of Community Forestry Agreements
South Africa has launched 19 Community Forestry Agreements (CFAs), marking a significant stride towards community empowerment and sustainable forestry practices. The agreements exemplify the government’s pledge to inclusive growth and efforts to deter plantation crimes such as timber theft. The government will provide continued support through a postsettlement support program to guarantee successful community ownership and management of the plantations. The CFAs lay the groundwork for new market opportunities while catering to the sector’s additional fiber requirements and are aligned with the Forestry Sector Masterplan.
South Africa’s unpredictable climate silently adds to the struggle of the homeless population, making their already challenging lives even more uncertain. During winters, severe chill increases the danger of frostbite and other coldrelated health issues. However, the magnitude of this humanitarian crisis remains unknown, and statesanctioned shelters offer temporary relief. Regular citizens can also contribute by donating money, food, clothes, and blankets to these shelters; it’s a shared responsibility to help those without homes weather the storm.
The Recreation and Parks Department of Cape Town celebrated Earth Day with a community event that included educational activities like waste reduction awareness programs and planting mature fig trees. The theme was ‘Planet vs. Plastics,’ and students from local schools participated in outdoor activities that fostered environmental consciousness and a sense of responsibility towards their local park. The event showcased the importance of even small actions towards building a resilient and sustainable futureready city.
Cape Town’s Bloubergstrand, a beloved tourist destination, is facing a grave threat due to rising sea levels from climate change. Studies project a loss of 112.1 meters of coastline by the end of the century, making it the ninth most atrisk tourist beach in Africa. This highlights the urgent need for immediate and collective action from global political and economic entities to address the worldwide crisis of rising sea levels and erosion. Saving these natural marvels is not just an environmental priority, but an economic necessity.
In the tranquil De Hoop Nature Reserve, conservationists Christina Hagen and Katta Ludynia discovered the lifeless bodies of 11 African penguins, victims of a honey badger attack. Despite this tragedy, the conservation team quickly sought advice and devised new safety measures to protect the penguin colony and prevent future attacks. The African penguin population is critically low, but with the dedication of organizations like CapeNature and BirdLife South Africa, there is hope for the survival of this extraordinary species.
The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle is an invasive species threatening Cape Town’s urban forest, and traditional pesticides are ineffective against it. Chipping infected trees onsite is crucial to preventing its spread. The City of Cape Town has initiated training sessions to raise awareness and promote ecofriendly gardening. Residents are urged to report infestations and take necessary steps to prevent the beetle from spreading, as it poses a significant risk to the city’s urban forest.
Albino wildlife in Africa, a result of genetic anomalies like leucism or albinism, are a display of the remarkable genetic diversity within the animal kingdom. These animals can manifest in any species and offer an extraordinary insight into wildlife. However, their unique appearance makes them vulnerable to predators and human attention, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation. Witnessing these stunning creatures, whether it’s a white buffalo calf or an albino bottlenose dolphin, is a testament to the impressive array of life that Africa’s wilderness provides and the need to protect it.
Cape Town is participating in the 2024 City Nature Challenge, inviting residents and tourists to showcase its rich biodiversity to a global audience. Participants can use the iNaturalist app to log various plant and animal species, contributing to citizen science. The challenge offers an educational opportunity for the younger generation and encourages community involvement in environmental stewardship.
In De Hoop Nature Reserve, a honey badger breached the defense surrounding the African penguin colony and killed 11 penguins. The incident highlights the need for better security measures and a better understanding of landbased predators. Efforts to restore the critically endangered African penguin species continue, with enhancements being made to the colony’s security arrangements. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the need for continuous adaptation in conservation efforts.
A Remarkable Earth Month Celebration: Disney and National Geographic’s ourHOME Initiative
Disney and National Geographic have joined forces to introduce ourHOME, an initiative aimed at promoting efforts to protect and celebrate the planet. The campaign features compelling narratives demonstrating the measures taken under Disney Planet Possible, which affirms Disney’s commitment to real action for a healthier environment. The initiative also includes exclusive content collections on Disney+, premieres of new Nat Geo series and Disneynature films, and a dedicated ourHOME television spot featuring the voice of Morgan Freeman. The ourHOME Digital Series will also allow viewers to engage directly with Disney Planet Possible stories.
The South African wine industry is adapting to climate change by replanting vineyards to conform to natural contour lines, installing drains to direct rainfall towards a reservoir, fostering biodiversity to enhance soil fertility, and preparing for future climate challenges. The vineyards in Stellenbosch are being extensively restructured to better endure heavy rain episodes, and the goal is to create a harmonious relationship with nature. The industry must prepare for a global temperature escalation of up to 3 degrees Celsius and a 30% shrinkage in annual rainfall by midcentury.