#MandelaDay: Locals tackle alien invasive species at Virginia Bush Nature Reserve
Members of the community, nature lovers and companies helped remove several alien invasive plants on the day.
THE Durban North Conservancy, as well as the Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa (WESSA) KZN, used this year’s Mandela Day to tackle alien invasive plants at Virginia Bush Nature Reserve.
The day, which is celebrated globally on July 18, is a way to honour the life and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela by emulating his selfless service to humanity.
Using the hashtag, #Itisinyourhands, volunteers from companies in the area helped remove alien species like Tradescantia Zebrina and Tradescantia Fluminensis, also known as the Inch Plant.
The reserve, home to several trails, is also popular with bird spotters, trail runners, walkers and nature lovers and is a sanctuary for wildlife, including duiker and mongooses.
The Durban North Conservancy, as well as the Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa (WESSA) KZN, used this year’s Mandela Day platform, to tackle alien invasive plants at Virginia Bush Nature Reserve.
— Northglen News (@northglennews) July 18, 2024
Here Margaret Burger from WESSA KZN explains the idea behind the event pic.twitter.com/MiE8YB9maC
Margaret Burger from WESSA KZN said she was pleased with the turnout. “Today was about making a positive impact on the environment. The two alien invasive creeper plants are the most common in the Durban North area, and it was important for us to focus on them as they are sadly widespread, including here at Virginia Bush,” she said.
“It may be a small impact, but we had several groups from two corporates in the area spend 67 minutes on the clean-up. So much of what we removed is abundant in the undergrowth of the reserve, and we hoped this would also drive awareness.”
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