KNYSNA NEWS - Without the hard work of two wonderful men, the "green heart of Knysna" would not be a beautiful reserve where visitors enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of nature.
Curlin Booysen and Siyasanga Ngxambuza, the only paid staff in the 10-hectare Pledge Nature Reserve, maintain the 5km of pathways, keep the benches and bridges clean and keep alien vegetation under control.
They also patrol the reserve daily and the perimeter fence twice a week.
"Managed by volunteers, mostly remotely via WhatsApp, Curlin and Siya have shown a remarkable understanding of the limiting factors with initiative and a can-do attitude," says organiser Nanna Joubert of Pledge Reserve.
Declared as a Local Nature Reserve in terms of a provincial Government Gazette notice of 11 October 1991, Pledge Nature Reserve truly forms the green heart of Knysna.
It covers about 10 hectares and is administered by the Pledge Nature Reserve Trust. Nowadays it is hard to believe that less than a century ago, this green heart of Knysna had been reduced to a brickfield and thereafter used as a dumping ground, which sullied the once clear streams.
Concerned townsfolk were instrumental in having the reserve proclaimed and negotiated a long-term lease with the Knysna Municipality.
What followed was a concerted, and eventually highly successful, attempt to eradicate alien vegetation and restore the place to its original natural splendour.
Peace and tranquility
Dams were created to trap the silt and purify the water which eventually flows into the lagoon. Pools are encircled by indigenous trees, forming an attractive centrepiece to the lower area of the reserve. Easily accessible as it is only 200m from the main road, those who are unable or do not want to walk the trails, can relax on one of the many benches and experience the peace and tranquillity that Pledge Nature Reserve offers.
Without doubt, it is well worth following the meandering trails along the streams to the reserve's highest point, where the view over the town and across the water to the distant Knysna Heads is the ultimate reward.
The reserve falls within the Cape Floral Kingdom, which, with its 8 600 plant species, is the world's richest temperate flora.
The upper sections of Pledge Nature Reserve are covered in fynbos and it is a priority to manage this area actively to ensure its survival. The lower-lying areas consist of riverine thicket and wetland vegetation with mostly locally indigenous species, but over the years some other indigenous species have been introduced.
The species count to date is in excess of 350, making it an ideal place for people of all ages to view the unique indigenous flora of the Southern Cape.
Before reclamation work began on Pledge Nature Reserve, bird-life was essentially non-existent. Few birds were attracted to the area because of the sterile wattle thickets.
In the early 1990s 47 species were recorded, and now the number has grown to 101. By 2016, 90 species had been sighted - which reflects positively on the health of the reserve.
The reserve offers a significant opportunity to research small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. From casual sightings it is obvious that animal and reptile life in the reserve is thriving and there are small buck, porcupine, mongoose, spotted genet, and a breeding colony of francolin all living in this urban sanctuary.
To see what is happening at Pledge Nature Reserve, please visit the Facebook page.
Surprises like this display case for pot plants, as well as retaining walls in the nursery that have been made from old pieces of wood and planks, make hearts sing at Pledge Nature Reserve.
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