Hundreds of people from fishing communities near Langebaan and Saldanha on the Cape’s West Coast took to Friday Island Beach on World Ocean Day (8 June), to “Say No to Karpowerships”. The protesters turned up in droves to demonstrate their rejection of the government’s plans to allow the so-called Karpowerships to anchor offshore, proposed to assist the government’s power … [Read more...]
Dealing with invasive beetles in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town is ready to deal with an invasive beetle that poses a serious threat to trees in the metropole and surrounding areas. The City’s Recreation and Parks Department, together with the Invasive Species Unit, have put operational plans in place to deal with the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) which has invaded and damaged thousands of trees in other parts of … [Read more...]
South Africa: home to the world’s most endangered seahorse
The Knysna seahorse is only found in a small section of South Africa and is one of only two seahorse species in the world currently listed as endangered. Locals need to act quickly to save the remaining specimens. Many divers, particularly photographers, have a bucket list of all the species they want to see before age catches up with them and diving is no longer an option. … [Read more...]
Tourists could run drought-crippled Knysna dry
With no proper rain in sight, authorities in Knysna are worried about the added pressure holidaymakers could put on the town’s limited water supply. Experts said the seaside town has only 26 days of usable water left. Thousands of tourists are expected to converge at the popular spots in the coming months. Due to the drought gripping the Western Cape, Knysna was … [Read more...]
New partnership to encourage Southern Cape recycling
The Eden district is on board for serious recycling and waste minimisation, setting a cool example of the way forward for the Southern Cape area. “PETCO is delighted to experience the beginning of a working partnership between Eden District and PETCO in our efforts to minimise waste and to encourage recycling in the Southern Cape area,” says the company’s CEO, Cheri … [Read more...]
Knysna Hope Spot Public meeting
Tuesday the 27th of May 2014, 10:00 in the Knynsa Council Chambers … [Read more...]
Wild Knysna elephant caught on camera
Green NGO Landmark Foundation recently took some rare photos of an elusive elephant in the Knysna forest, while researching the leopard population status in the Garden Route. The Landmark Foundation works on carnivore conservation in the Eastern and Western Cape. Their main functions are research, rescue, education and extending wildlife friendly habitats. A signature … [Read more...]
Hopes to salvage Kiani Satu sink along with the ship
All hopes to save the ship wrecked off the coast of Knysna plunge as the Kiani Satu sinks into the dark abyss of the Indian Ocean on Wednesday 21 August. After the attempt to float the ship on Saturday 17 August, nature took its course at 4:00 am on Wednesday and dragged the vessel underwater 200m South of Buffels Bay. The carcass of Kiani Satu now lies at a depth of 1000m … [Read more...]
Storm threatens Knysna’s oil spill cleanup
Almost a week later, and the Kiani Satu cargo ship remains stranded off the coast of Buffels Bay, Knysna. Officials are working hard and fighting the elements to float the vessel away from the protected coastline. Saturday morning 3 tonnes of oil had spilled into the ocean. By Monday 15 tonnes had entered the marine protected coastline of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, which … [Read more...]
Knysna saddled with ongoing oil spill disaster
On Thursday 8 August a cargo ship ran aground off the coast of Buffels Bay, Knysna. Oil is seeping into the sea and endangering the marine and coastal wildlife of the Goukamma Nature Reserve. After a mechanical failure Chinese cargo ship, Kiana Satu, beached 50m from the shore at Buffels Bay. The 168m vessel was on course to Gabon couriering 15 000 tonnes of rice and 30 … [Read more...]
Help tree woman spread more saplings
In June 2005, Natalie Rowles flew to Johannesburg. During her flight, she stared out the window and was stunned to see the lack of trees in the countryside. Only here and there, closer to KZN, could you see some greenery. On her return home, she decided to do something about it and started her own project called Free Trees For Schools. She donated indigenous Yellowwood saplings … [Read more...]
Breathing new life into Platbos Forest
Recently, our team spent a relaxing weekend at the 1000 year old Platbos Indigenous Forest, near Gansbaai. We slept in huts made from wood and canvas, and heated up the geyser by making a fire beneath it. Discovering the southernmost remnant of the ancient Afromontane forest which once covered almost the whole of Africa was a journey to our roots in a series of significant … [Read more...]
Hands-on greening becomes a passion
If you’re not passionate about the earth, don’t bother to do the 5 hour trip from Cape Town to Forest Edge along the Knysna forest. Although it is a multi-award-winning resort with very well equipped and serviced cottages, this is ultimately a Nature Lovers’ Retreat. I had been there before and of course loved the chilled vibe as I wrote poetry in the hammock on the cottage … [Read more...]
