The Modderfontein Reserve in Johannesburg aimed at protecting indigenous fauna and flora in the area open space within the urban fabric is now open.
The community will have access to the reserve at a cost of R30 per adult and R15 for children and pensioners. An annual fee option will also be available to those who want to access it regularly.
Situated on land owned by AECI and forms part of its 2 400ha Modderfontein landholding and managed by Heartland on AECI’s behalf, the reserve opened on September.
It has always been AECI’s intention to formalise the open land on which the reserve stands, and Heartland was assigned this role.
Heartland, in collaboration with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and with the assistance of the Modderfontein Conservation Society (MCS), has proceeded with the rezoning of the 275ha site to private open space.
This will allow the reserve to be accessible to the public in a controlled fashion.
Anthony Diepenbroek, chief executive officer of Heartland, says the Heartland’s team, EWT and the MCS have achieved a great deal so far in the process of formalising the reserve.
“A good foundation has been laid and work will continue to restore the ecosystem balance and provide a safe and enjoyable space for the public in this unique piece of Highveld,” he says.
The EWT has been appointed by Heartland to operate the reserve and they will run the reserve on a day to day basis and have formulated a business plan to ensure its future sustainability.
The MCS is playing a vital role in the reserve, having had an interest in the area for many years now.
They were involved in the initial commissioning of studies to determine the best possible options for the land.
They organise various regular activities in the now formalised Reserve and a number of the MCS members are actively assisting EWT with various conservation activities in the Reserve.
There are several reasons why formalising the area as a privately owned reserve is the preferable option.
While the land is owned by AECI to begin with, and while maintenance and conservation work come at a high cost – uncontrolled public access comes with inherent risks these days, according to Diepenbroek.
An open space without anyone to manage and maintain it lends itself to abuse and could degenerate into a potentially unsafe area, he says.
Diepenbroek says proper management of the reserve ensures that the space is safe for recreation.
It also ensures the protection of indigenous flora and fauna to prevent pollution and the invasion of alien vegetation.
With the management and conservation initiatives put in place by Heartland, the land on which the reserve stands is being continually improved to restore it to its pristine state, and maintain it.
It is important that the reserve is able to operate as a self-sustaining entity in time, and a business plan is being drawn up to this end, he says.
Various fauna and flora studies are being conducted to record animal and plant species in the reserve and a monitoring system is being implemented which will allow the EWT team to record changes at fixed points throughout the reserve over time.
Under the guidance of Luke Strugnell, EWT urban conservation manager in the reserve, great progress has been made in several respects.
The systematic removal of alien vegetation is an ongoing process (it is now a legal requirement to remove certain invasive alien species), as is the planting of indigenous trees around the reserve, he explains.
As part of Heartland’s enterprise development drive, two start-up companies are being incubated as service providers to the Modderfontein Reserve, points out Diepenbroek.
“Enterprise development is an important goal for Heartland and extends across a range of the organisation’s activities including maintenance in the reserve.”
Various fauna and flora studies are being conducted to record animal and plant species in the reserve and a monitoring system is being implemented which will allow the EWT team to record changes at fixed points throughout the reserve over time.
Mammals on the site include small buck such as steenbok, as well as black-backed-jackals.
A bat survey has already been carried out and studies on the bats are ongoing. Fish eagles and long-crested eagles are among the bird life in the reserve.
Education programmes will form an important part of the activities on the reserve once it opens.
This will encompass schools and other interest groups, and it is even hoped that university students will be able to use the area for research and field work for their studies.
The community will have access to the reserve at a cost of R30 per adult and R15 for children and pensioners.
An annual fee option will also be available to those who want to access it regularly.
Walking and cycling trails are in the process of being marked, and information will be available on these shortly.
Visit www.modderfonteinreserve.co.za for more information.
Print
