De-littering the Western Cape

To ensure that this precious species is allowed to successfully thrive, the remaining alien plants in the area were intended to be removed during the hack programmes. After the introduction, an alien plant identification guide was distributed among the participants to make identification easier.

They were also informed of the PlantNet and iNaturalist mobile applications to help them identify species they were uncertain of. The participants were informed of the methods of clearing the species, i.e., gum and wattle species needed to be cut and have herbicide applied to it, however pine species do not require herbicide.

The volunteers were then told to split up into groups, each consisting of a SANParks staff member who would help clear the alien plants and administer herbicide to the cut tree stumps. According to the volunteers, all of them enjoyed

By Sinoyolo Nama

the hack and would love to participate in a similar programme in the future.

However, many of them suggested the use of additional herbicide administers. In order to assist the volunteers with being more efficient, the core volunteers were given in-house training on herbicide application by SANParks on 17 June 2021.

During the training at Newlands, the volunteers were informed of which herbicides are used to remove the alien plants, as well as the relevant protocols of administering it.

On 19 June 2021, the second alien clearing hack took place at Cecilia where the SANParks staff demonstrated the correct way of applying herbicide, in order to further train the volunteers to be capable herbicide applicators.

Bontebok staff de-litter and paint community member’s house

Bontebok National Park staff members cleaned up litter that had been illegally dumped near a community church and also helped to paint the house of a community member which had been burnt. As a quote from the bible says, “Blessed is the hand that gives.”

Initiatives like these which bring communities, municipalities and the national parks together are very important. That is why awareness initiatives were set in place to show how litter threatens the environment and human health.