Take a hike at Beachwood Mangroves this weekend
The North Durban Honorary Officers are hoping to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity of the 76-hectare reserve at its open morning Saturday, 21 September.
MANGROVES play a significant role as hatcheries and nurseries for marine life, as well as forming habitats for several species of plants and animals, some of which are unique and endangered. With the largest population of mangrove trees in Durban, Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve’s importance cannot be underestimated.
The North Durban Honorary Officers are hoping to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity of the 76-hectare reserve at its open morning Saturday, 21 September.
The open mornings at the reserve which occur on the third Saturday of every month, this year coincides with International Coastal Clean Up Day.
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The initiative, which has run for over two decades, forms part of an international effort to collect and document the rubbish littering the world’s coastlines.
Durban cleanups will take place in various coastal areas including uShaka Beach, Wilson’s Wharf, Virginia Beach and Beachwood Mangroves.
Honorary officer at the reserve, Brian High, encouraged Durbanites to support the clean-up and enjoy some time in nature on the open morning.
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“We will have our normal guided walks along the boardwalks at the reserve but there is also a bird walk on the same morning. The bird walk begins at 8am and we encourage those wanting to attend to arrive 10 minutes before the start time. We have a number of bird species in the reserve so for the birding enthusiasts this is a must.
“If you aren’t keen on bird spotting, our educational centre will also be open to visitors and of course our normal boardwalk walks are a great way to learn about the 76 hectare reserve. There’ll also be refreshments on sale on the day. The funds raised on the day will go towards the upkeep of the reserve. Importantly, visitors can also support the International Coastal Clean Up which takes place at Beachwood Mangroves. We encourage everyone to come out and spend some time in nature,” he said.
The open morning runs from 8am until 1pm.
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