Contact details
What is being done to protect the area?
If you would like more information on the project, or are interested in becoming
The City of Cape Town in partnership with others, is working to address the
involved, please contact:
threats facing the area and to take the project forward to realise the BCA vision.
Environmental Planning, City of Cape Town
Tel: (021) 487-2284 or (021) 550-1096
Fax: (021) 487-2255 or (021) 550-7517
E-mail: enviro@capetown.gov.za
BCA Nature Conservation, City of Cape Town
What can you do?
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fortunate to have such amazing and special resources in Cape Town.
For example, the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area have worked in cooperation with responsible 4x4 clubs to help stop inappropriate off-road vehicle
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Enjoy yourself in this wonderful environment, but do not participate in
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Conduct your activities in a manner that is in keeping with being in a nature
inappropriate activities that cause harm to it.
usage and start to rehabilitate damage caused. Input is made to development
proposals in the area to try and minimise negative impacts to the BCA and optimise
positive benefits. There is an increased law enforcement presence to help stop
reserve - for example do not light fires, trample natural vegetation, or play
inappropriate activities and damage to the area.
loud music.
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Tel: (021) 554-0957
Fax: (021) 554-0957
E-mail: bca@sybaweb.co.za
Appreciate that this area is important on a global scale and that we are
Respect the restrictions placed on activities. They are not there to spoil your
fun, but to protect the environment so that your children, and children’s
(WESSA): Western Cape Region, international funding from the Critical Ecosystem
children, will be able to enjoy and benefit from the area.
natural, historical and cultural resources of this area for the
Utilise the area, in an appropriate manner, for example for school outings and
enjoyment and education of present and future generations.
Partnership Fund (CEPF) was sourced for a number of initiatives in the BCA. This
Friends of the Blaauwberg Conservation Area
project made a very positive contribution to the BCA.
Tel: (021) 554-2221 or 082 651 5437
The Friends of BCA are actively involved with projects that benefit the BCA, for
Fax: (021) 554-2034
example alien vegetation hacks and awareness raising campaigns.
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research projects.
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Look after the investment made in infrastructure and report any vandalism and
damage to the authorities: (Big Bay Law Enforcement, tel: (021) 554-3947 or
E-mail: Lraubenh@mweb.co.za
(021) 554-1306 or Nature Conservation, tel: (021) 554-0957
fax: (021) 554-0957
Afrikaans & Xhosa versions available electronically
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Provide your positive support for the BCA by actively participating in public
processes of relevance.
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Join the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area, tel: (021) 554-2221 or
082 651 5437 - a group of ordinary and concerned citizens whose mission it
is to contribute to seeing that the area is protected and utilised to the
benefit of the general public now and for the future. Actively participate in
activities organised.
August 2005
Vision: To conserve, protect and enhance the unique
Working in partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
Location & Concept
The Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) is situated on the West Coast,
approximately 25 km from the city centre of Cape Town. A concept plan has
been prepared which includes a Primary Conservation Zone (containing the most
important resources), surrounded by a Conservation Interface Zone. This will
provide for a multi-purpose conservation area comprising undisturbed conservation
areas as well as visitor, educational, recreational and related facilities.
Why so special?
Opportunities
Ecological importance
Economic
• Located within the Cape Floral Kingdom - a global biodiversity hotspot.
The rich biodiversity and cultural-historical aspects, combined with the scenic
• A significant project of the City’s Biodiversity Strategy.
splendour and iconic view of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Table Bay, set
• The area represents one of the most intact and diverse lowland habitats near
the scene for a tourist destination of international significance. With appropriate
Cape Town, and marks the beginning of the West-Coast flora.
• It comprises three very threatened lowland vegetation types: Strandveld (or
dune thicket), West Coast Renosterveld and Sand Plain Fynbos. Three transitional
vegetation types also occur. The combination of these vegetation types is seldom
found in one conservation area.
• Renosterveld is one of the most highly threatened vegetation types in SA - only
approximately 3% remains, of which less than 1% of its original extent
is formally conserved. Only half of the original Strandveld vegetation and a mere
1,2% of Sand Plain Fynbos remains on the Cape Flats.
• Over 530 plant species have been identified to date in an area of approximately
2 000 ha. (The entire British Isles has only approximately 1 500 plant species).
conservation and sustainable development of the area, the economic spin-offs for
the region will be great.
Education
• 217 bird species have been recorded, including the threatened African Black
Oystercatcher, or are anticipated to occur.
Cultural/historical importance
The Blaauwberg Conservation Area presents a rich cultural and historical heritage of
various periods in history, from the later Stone Age to present, including
• Khoisan middens.
• Early maritime history.
• Site of the Battle of Blaauwberg (1806), which marked the end of Dutch rule at
the Cape.
• World War 2 structures.
Being situated on the axis of urban growth, the BCA is under significant threat from
the impacts of urbanisation including potentially inappropriate developments on its
periphery and service infrastructure e.g. roads, stormwater infrastructure, resource
depletion and loss of biological corridors important for movement of species.
Invasive alien vegetation is also a great threat not only because of the potential loss
outdoor classroom facility, and for programme development from school-based
of biodiversity but also because it poses a fire hazard.
curricula through to continuing adult education programmes.
Vandals have been damaging signs and infrastructure designed to raise awareness
The varied landscapes, from the coast to the hill and inland, provide opportunities
• 3 red data mammal species have been recorded at the BCA.
sites.
development resource for all sectors of the community. It provides for an excellent
• 46 species of mammal, 34 species of reptiles, 9 amphibian species, and 30
re-introduced.
Hill, by damaging vegetation, causing erosion and impacting on archaeological
The BCA’s unique features make it a valuable environmental education, training and
Recreation
many larger mammals existed and several of these species are planned to be
The BCA has been compromised by reckless and inappropriate off-road vehicle
usage, which has caused great damage to the coastal dunes and the Blaauwberg
• Home to 47 red data plant species.
species of butterfly are known or anticipated to occur here. Historically,
Threats
for a multitude of recreation activities such as fishing, hiking, birdwatching and
picnicking.
of and protect the valuable resources of the area.