Over 9500-day visitors made use of the opportunity to visit nature reserves as part of CapeNature’s Access Week this year – a 6% increase compared to last year.
The week has been described as a “resounding success” by the Western Cape provincial government.
This year was the 11th annual Access Week.
For many of these participants, this was their first-ever visited to a protected natural area, the government says in a statement issued on Thursday 23 October.
The week is proving to be one of the province’s most effective tools for expanding environmental inclusion, the government says, adding that throughout targeted outreach, 16 structured programmes were held at its reserves across 13 communities, hosting schools, youth organisations, and non-government organisations. These engagements provided entertainment, environmental literacy, and stewardship to the landscapes the province is mandated to protect, the statement reads.
CapeNature’s reserves safeguard globally significant biodiversity critical to sustaining water security, climate resilience, rural livelihoods, and eco-tourism. Ensuring that residents understand and value this system is essential to protecting it, the government says.
“By opening our protected areas to the public and actively educating communities, CapeNature is growing the next generation of custodians for the Western Cape’s natural heritage. Expanding access and safeguarding biodiversity must continue to work hand-in-hand,” says Dave Bryant, DA spokesperson on environmental affairs and development planning.
According to CapeNature’s website, there are 25 reserves located in the Cape Karoo, Winelands, Overberg, West Coast and Garden Route areas.
