The City of Cape Town will again host its popular Tourism Cities @ Indaba Seminar in Durban on 12 May 2013, coinciding with  Indaba 2013.  Nombulelo Mkefa, Director of Tourism, says ”The Tourism Cities @ Indaba Seminar is a forum for South African and international tourism practitioners to interact and share information, experiences and best practices on responsible tourism in urban areas.  It is also a showcase of Cape Town, South Africa and Africa as leaders in Responsible Tourism.”

The theme this year is “Sustainable Energy & Tourism”.  Fitting then that Deidre Shurland, coordinator of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism, will deliver the keynote address.  The programme offers a smorgasbord of other well-known international and South African speakers, including:

• Bekithemba Langalibale (National Department of Tourism)
• Nombulelo Mkefa (City of Cape Town)
• Eddy Khosa (FEDHASA)
• Simbarashe Mandinyena (RETOSA)
• Elsia  Grandcourt (Seychelles Tourism Board)
• Adamah Bah (The Gambia)
• Colin Devenish (V&A Waterfront)

The seminar has three main themes, the legislative and policy imperatives for Sustainable Tourism, the impact of Sustainable Energy and Tourism on the African tourism landscape, and  monitoring and evaluating responsible/sustainable tourism practices.

The seminar will be moderated by Ms Heidi van der Watt, founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism – South Africa and elected board member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Contact Sisa Ngondo  (e-mail: Sisa.Ngondo@capetown.gov.za, tel: 021 – 4174069) for more information.

Fall in love with responsible travel February 11-17 as Planeta.com hosts our fifth annual Responsible Travel Week, a week-long unconference that kicks off 2013 in fine style.  A great plus: admission is free and there’s no jetlag!

The friendly confab takes place online and around the world through a series of local events organized by participants.

2013 is the fifth year for Responsible Travel Week and Planeta.com’s 13th year of innovative conferencing. We expect our global conversation to take a great leap forward thanks to inspired participation. There are plenty of ways to get involved.

Responsible Travel Week amplifies down-to-earth applications of noble concepts including responsible travel, conscious travel, the local travel movement and ecotourism with the inexpensive social web. The event is free to attend. Introduce yourself through the Facebook event page, Google+ and via Twitter (hashtag: #rtweek2013).  We welcome financial sponsors, including individuals and institutions willing to invest in a more formal approach, including awards and workshops focused on digital literacy training.

Details on the Planeta Wiki
http://planeta.wikispaces.com/rtweek2013             
Slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/planeta/rtweek2013             
Storify
http://storify.com/ronmader/rtweek2013         
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/443927398952987        
Google+
https://plus.google.com/events/csas42kh37cceb4j8qcrf57o550

Cape Town and RT Week focus

The City of Cape Town from the main themes of tourism’s connections to accessibility, biodiversity conservation, parks, protected areas, indigenous peoples, food and volunteering for RT Week –  is focusing on the following.

RT Week is focussed on the social media in tourism and un-conference tourism reporting on visits to nature reserves, the using of public transport, walking and special tours, markets, performances, RT initiatives and practices, and so on.

Responsible Tourism Background

Responsible Tourism is a tourism that creates better places for people to live in and better places to visit and is aimed at sustainable development with a triple bottom line focus of environmental integrity, social justice and economic growth.  With Responsible Tourism individuals, organisations and businesses are expected to take responsibility for actions and related impacts. 

Responsible tourism in principle strives towards:

An informative e-booklet on the eight prestigious Blue Flag beaches and two marinas within the Cape metro area for the 2012/2013 season.

When deciding where to go, residents and tourists can choose Blue Flag beaches and marinas, secure in the knowledge that high standards of management are guaranteed during Blue Flag season over the summer months (Dec-Mar). 

The beaches that have been awarded full Blue Flag status between December 2012 and March 2013 are: Bikini, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Llandudno, Mnandi, Muizenberg, Silwerstroomstrand and Strandfontein. Cape Town has the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in South Africa. It is also proud to be the first African city south of the Mediterranean to have two of its marinas achieve full Blue Flag status for 2012/2013: Granger Bay Water Club and the False Bay Yacht Club.

Click here to view Blue Flag e-booklet.

Using alternative energy and alternative building design where possible to save energy and water, to reduce waste and to increase biodiversity

 For further information on the City’s nature reserves call 021 514 4188 or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves

ENQUIRIES: NATANYA DREYER, SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OFFICER, ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT,TEL: 021 514 4188,
E-MAIL: NATANYA.DREYER@CAPETOWN.GOV.ZA

This 880 hectare reserve comprises a variety of permanent and seasonal wetlands, and is surrounded by Cape Flats dune strandveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos vegetation.

The reserve protects 412 plant species, 31 mammals, 196 birds, 33 reptiles, nine amphibians, and 14 fish species. It also supports important but as of yet unlisted insect, invertebrate and planktonic communities. Two species are listed vulnerable, and 14 are near threatened.

The Rietvlei Wetland part is a large wetland in the floodplain of the Diep River between Milnerton and Table View that drains into Table Bay via the Milnerton Lagoon. The wetland consists of a variety of habitats, including a permanent freshwater lake, shallow marshes that flood in winter, reed beds, a river, and an estuarine lagoon with salt marshes that is open to the sea. A strip of coastal dunes connects the reserve with the Table Bay coastline.

This is a birder’s paradise, especially in spring and summer, when migrant birds arrive from the northern hemisphere. Some 196 bird species are listed, including pelicans, flamingos, ducks, sandpipers, terns, herons, plovers, weavers and swallows. There are two bird hides that offer views of the southern water body and the large seasonal pan.

Four times a year, a water bird census is taken, and often thousands of birds are counted. SANCCOB – the coastal bird rehabilitation centre, where oiled penguins and gannets are cleaned – is adjacent to the reserve. Many small mammals, reptiles and insects live here, along with several frog species. The lagoon acts as a nursery to several coastal fish, such as harder and mullet which occur in safety alongside freshwater fish. From the coastal dunes, dolphins and whales are visible in season. The Milnerton Aquatic Club promotes water sports at Rietvlei’ s northern deepwater lake.

Challenges

Water pollution and invasive alien plants, especially Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), rooikrans (Acacia cyclops) and kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), are a challenge. People who live nearby can help by planting indigenous gardens, removing kikuyu grass, and preventing oil, poison and fertiliser from running into the natural environment.

Key information – Table Bay Nature Reserve

The Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools Hiking Trail, which forms part of the Steenbras Nature Reserve and is also part of the greater Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, was closed in May 2011. Fire damage, soil erosion, vegetation degradation, uncontrolled access and visitor safety issues were all reasons which contributed towards the area being closed for this period.

The closing of this area to the public has given it an opportunity to rest. During this time reserve management have worked on introducing a new management system which is based on similar areas managed by other conservation authorities; for example Suicide Gorge (Cape Nature). The new system will introduce a carrying capacity of 50 people per day. Permits have to be pre-booked and paid for before visitors arrive to walk in the area.

The following information is imperative to visitors planning a hike in the Steenbras Nature Reserve to ensure safety and responsible tourism:

For more information on and queries of Steenbras Nature Reserve please e-mail: steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za. For more information on the City’s Nature Reserves, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.  

Enquiries: Hayley Wittridge, Area Manager: Gordon’s Bay, Biodiversity Management Branch, Environmental Resource Management Department, Cell: 078 392 1337

One of these areas is the Tygerberg Nature Reserve, a 309 hectare stretch of land that conserves Critically Endangered Swartland shale renosterveld. Only eight percent of this vegetation type is presently conserved nationally. The nature reserve forms part of the Cape Floral Region which is the smallest and richest of six floral kingdoms found worldwide.

The Tygerberg Hills tower over the northern suburbs of the City and allows visitors a 360 degree view of the Cape Peninsula where one can see two world renowned heritage sites, Table Mountain and Robben Island.

Tygerberg Nature Reserve is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. To date 563 floral species have been recorded, of which 23 are listed as Red Data species. 137 bird species, including the iconic Jackal Buzzard which soars over the reserve; 24 mammal species including Caracal, Grey Rhebuck and Honey Badger; seven amphibian and 27 reptile species can also be found in the reserve. 53 invasive plant species have also been recorded, many of which are garden escapees.

These amazing attributes are right on your doorstep and available to all Capetonians. There are approximately13 kilometersof self guided walking trails for hikers, walkers and trail runners. A few picnic areas, where one can relax with family and friends, and plenty of bird watching for those bird enthusiasts is also offered at the reserve.

Environmental educational programmes and activities are conducted from the Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre. These programmes are available to the public via a booking system. Capetonians are encouraged to support their local nature reserve and make a difference.

As part of becoming a responsible tourism destination, the environmental education centre registered as an Eco Centre in 2011. They were and was awarded a green flag. To obtain the green flag status, certain criteria must be met, including an investment in green, responsible practices and infrastructure.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Tygerberg Nature Reserve in spring – especially during the months of August and September – in order to see the best displays of annual flowers and bulb species.

Members of the public can contact the Tygerberg Nature Reserve for more information on 021 913 5695 or via e-mail to tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za

For more information on the City’s nature reserves, visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.

The programme was centred on learning to catch fish at the Rietvlei Wetland section of the Table Bay Nature Reserve.  The focus was to teach children, between the ages of 8 and 18 years, about the art of responsible fishing.

They were taught how to correctly use fishing gear, what different baits to use, what the local fish are, why they need permits and how to obtain them, what ‘sustainable harvesting of fish’ means and on the basics of fish anatomy.

The Table Bay Nature Reserve incorporates the Rietvlei Wetlands, Milnerton Racecourse and Lagoon, Diepriver corridor and Zoarvlei. 

Besides the 14 recorded fish species that occur throughout the reserve it also protects 196 bird species and 33 reptile species.

Details on the 2013 programme will be announced in the media closer to the time.

For more information regarding the programme please contact Elzette Krynauw at elzette.krynauw@capetown.gov.za or (021) 444 0315

For more information on the City’s nature reserves, visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.

The rich biodiversity embraces a wetland, 559 plant species, 49 mammals (including whales, dolphins and seals), 162 bird species, 30 reptiles and four amphibians. It is the only City nature reserve where you can still find the white-tailed mouse (Mystromys albicaudatus), the ant bear (‘aardvark’; Orycteropus afer) and a bird known as Layard’s titbabbler (Parisoma layardi). The reserve will ultimately conserve about 2 000 hectares of important biodiversity land, and will be stocked with larger animals, such as eland and red hartebeest. Within the current 1 445 hectares, evidence of early human occupation has been found– with shell middens dating back 15 000 years.

The reserve also conserves the site of the 1806 Battle of Blaauwberg, when the British took possession of the Cape from the Dutch for the second time. During World War II several buildings were constructed on Blaauwberg Hill that can still be visited today. These include a radar station, a lookout and a mess room. A new accommodation facility has been built nearby, offering magnificent views and rustic splendour.

Since the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve’s proclamation, conservation in the area has progressed rapidly. Simple bollards at the coastal parking areas have stopped 4x4s from driving on the beach, and already the endangered vegetation is recovering and the black oystercatchers (Haematopus moquini) have returned. Illegal vehicles had not only endangered the vegetation and black oystercatchers, but had also destroyed a number of the shell middens. An initiative of the Friends of BCA, involving the closure of 4×4 tracks and the judicious clearing of alien vegetation, has shown that the strandveld vegetation can be restored.

Management is limiting the population of Cape gerbils (Tatera afra), whose population exploded following alien vegetation clearing. Conservationists try to encourage the introduction of barn owls (Tyto alba), which eat the gerbils, by providing barn owl nesting boxes. The owl pellets are however carefully monitored to ensure that they are not eating the endangered white-tailed mice.

Partners of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve include CapeNature, the Western Cape Provincial Government, the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, the Table Mountain Fund, the Botanical Society of South Africa, the South African Heritage Resources Agency, the Development Bank of South Africa, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Cape Action Plan for the Environment (C.A.P.E.), the Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa, and the Friends of BCA.

ADDRESS: Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Drive, north of Bloubergstrand

OPENING HOURS:

Coastal section: Sunrise to sunset (seven days a week);
Eerste Steen braai and picnic facility: 08:00-19:00 (Nov-Apr), 08:00-17:00 (May-Oct)

BLAAUWBERG HILL: By prior arrangement only

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Taxi or bus

ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES: Picnic sites, braai areas, hiking trails, historic buildings, surfing, windsurfing, birdwatching, whale-watching and fishing (permit required)

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Classes on history, archaeology, geography and geology, as well as on the plants and animals in the local ecosystems (booking essential)

CONTACT: Tel 021 554 0957; Fax: 021 554 8156

E-MAIL: Blaauwberg.NatureReserve@capetown.gov.za

FRIENDS GROUP: The Friends of BCA host monthly activities, www.bca.org.za

The diversity of species found here is vast, with some 24 different mammal species, 137 bird species, 22 different reptiles, 7 types of frogs, and numerous different butterfly species. The view from the top of the reserve’s hill is magnificent, with a 360 degree view of the City and emphasises just how meagre the patches of natural vegetation are amid the urban sprawl. The eastern slope of the reserve consists of old ploughed fields that are in the process of being restored, while the Western slope is close to pristine Swartland shale renosterveld.

A spotted tiger?

From a distance, the blotches visible on the hills of the Western Cape reminded Dutch settlers of a leopard’s skin, and in 1657, the hills became known as Luipaerts Berghen (‘Leopard’s Mountain’). This was changed to Tijgerberghen (‘Tiger Mountain’) in 1661, and is now known as Tygerberg. These regular round patches are called ‘heuweltjies’ or small hills and are most noticeable during summer. Many scientists think that these hills are the remains of ancient termite nests. Harvester termites bring plant material into their burrows, and over time, they change the nature of the soil. As a result, the plants growing on the hills differ from those in the surrounding veld.

Key information – Tygerberg Nature Reserve