Marco Cornelius, from the Overstrand Municipality’s Environmental Management & Conservation, attended the Fynbos Forum, together with partners Dr Sheraine van Wyk from Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) and Zelda Arendse from Hawston Paddavlei Eco-Group (PEG).
The above-mentioned organisations worked collaboratively to implement the activities listed in the Paddavlei Maintenance Management Plan.
This plan was completed for the Municipality in 2022 to provide environmental authorisation for the conservation activities that the partner organisations had agreed to work together to achieve.
Paddavlei is an urban wetland that was once well-loved and enjoyed by the Hawston community. In recent years, the Paddavlei has become inaccessible due to excessive reed growth caused by enriched stormwater flowing into the wetland.
This has contributed to the community becoming disconnected from this natural feature. Evidence of this disconnection can also be seen in the amount of litter and illegal dumping in the area.
The team, comprised of Marco Cornelius (Overstrand Municipal Senior Field Ranger), Zelda Arendse (PEG Committee Member) and Sheraine van Wyk (WCC’s Programme Manager), presented the successes and lessons learnt from the Paddavlei Project at the Fynbos Forum.
The team emphasised that the collaborative relationship was key to addressing existing challenges and achieving the milestones needed in this project.
A success was the installation of a walking trail, which has encouraged members of the community to return to Paddavlei. Through ongoing conservation work and increased involvement and support from the Hawston community, improvements have been observed at the wetland.
PEG hosts a monthly Paddavlei Fun Run & Walk where participants can appreciate this natural asset and enjoy its beauty. Open spaces in our towns form an important part of the local environment and should be respected, kept free of litter and illegal dumping, and maintained for the community to enjoy.
This project demonstrates the Overstrand Municipality’s ongoing commitment to protecting local natural areas through practical conservation work and partnerships.
