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Hacks
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The hack project which aims to remove invasive alien vegetation from Rooiels, has been running for over 40 years. initially a hack was run once a year, later once a quarter and still later Jean Cowan suggested hacking once a month. This visionary decision has made all the difference to conserving and preserving our natural flora. Where once huge dense stands of rooikrans stood, now beautiful, diverse fynbos has re-established itself.
But, the battle is never over! Rooikrans seeds can lie dormant for at least 40 years and we are still removing seedlings originating from those first trees. Sadly, we still have a couple of property owners who insist that their rooikrans does no harm and refuse to remove the trees on their properties. We need every property owner to be vigilant and remove all seedlings from their properties before they grow and go into seeding. And we need as many Rooielsers as possible to join our hacking attempts every first Saturday of the month. We work really hard for two hours and then relax over a beer, tea and sandwiches kindly provided by various homeowners. Great way to get to know your fellow Rooielsers and get a great workout. |
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Dunes
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Dunes along the northern shore of Rooiels are essentially moving dunes. But, with development taking place so close to the dunes, the need for stabilising the dunes has become essential. The Conservancy has taken responsibility for this task. Rebuilding and stabilising dunes is a slow process, taking many years. What is required of Rooielsers is to be sensitive to the fact that walking on the dunes can undo years of backbreaking work. Some small, visually unobtrusive notice boards have been erected on the dunes to discourage walking on them. Please help us by encouraging your visitors to honour the signs and be sensitive to the damage they could be causing when they climb over the dunes. | ||
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Pathways
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With the increase in foot traffic through our protected areas, the need for containing pedestrians to prescribed pathways was born. The Conservancy initiated the pathways and boardwalks in the Rooiels Nature Reserve with some funding coming from the Municipality and the rest from the Conservancy. Maintenance also done in conjunction with both bodies.
Other pathways, e.g. along the western coastline and the public servitudes in the village are also maintained by the Conservancy. \in an attempt to mitigate damage to the steep slopes at the northern end of the swimming beach, the Conservancy funded and built chain ladders for day visitors' use between the parking bay and the beach. The main section of chain ladder was removed in 2015 as it had deteriorated badly and the earth supporting it had been washed out. The smaller of the two ladders is still in place. The same approach was used at the slipway beach to enable pedestrians to access the coastline running east of the slipway without crossing over the dune edge which was badly eroded. This pathway is now well established and used with the dune almost completely recovered. |
