The Zandvlei Trust

We are extremely fortunate to have many naturalists in our community, a number of whom have undertaken research on the Zandvlei environment from under- to post-graduate level. We are further blessed to have forged relationships with some of these individuals who in turn have fed their expertise and knowledge back…

Let’s Go Hacking The clearing of invasive species from the Zandvlei Nature Reserve was how the Trust began and work has been ongoing sporadically since its founding in 1988. Why? Because removing invasive plants promotes the biodiversity of all living species including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds.  Invasive vegetation…

The Zandvlei Trust at Work Zandvlei is an important conservation area and natural asset within easy reach of many local schools. The ZVT supports environmental education because we believe it is vital that young people – many in our area living in sub-economic or other challenging conditions –be introduced to…

Recording Plant Life for Posterity Back in November 2001, the Zandvlei Inventory and Monitoring Programme (ZIMP) was initiated. A group of volunteers was assembled under the leadership of Professor Tim Hoffman. They learnt the basics of plant identification and received a permit to pick plants when necessary. They visited the…

Litter is the most visual problem in the Vlei, but not the most serious. Litter needs to be addressed from three angles: Preventing litter ingress at source There are many options available to contribute to this. This is the most long-term sustainable approach, and includes lobbying to reduce the use…

Generating revenue through recycling The recycling bin bank, situated on the traffic island alongside the Lakeside shopping centre, is among numerous efforts made by the Trust to raise funds, although it has not been without its troubles. Never a good deed unpunished had been pretty much the case here.  The…

The Row Play Park Zandvlei Play Park is located between Zandvlei Estuary and The Row, Muizenberg and lies within Zandvlei Nature Reserve. It is an area of rich natural beauty and a source of enjoyment for the community, but the park is somewhat neglected. Over the past five months (Nov…

The nets were first installed by Marina resident Michael Ryder, in light of the higher authority’s failure to effectively address the problem. Since then the trust has taken on the plight of their care. The metal grids are designed to protect nylon nets from the worst of the winter flood…

A Natural Treasure in the Heart of Westlake This garden was started by members of the Zandvlei Trust in 1999. It is situated on Main Road, opposite the Lakeside shopping complex and adjoins the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve. Prior to that the area was overgrown with alien invasive plants…

It is only in recent decades that the value of wetlands has been properly understood. Wetlands provide a habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals. More importantly they play a valuable role in filtering the water that flows through them. In the case of the Westlake Wetlands this…