Burman Bush marks special trail in month of remembrance, resilience
The month of August will always remain a significant period for the Burman Bush Nature Reserve, as it marks all that the space has endured and achieved, despite some dark moments in its history.
HIKERS and lovers of nature gathered recently for a special hike at Burman Bush Nature Reserve, reaffirming the value they hold in the preservation of Durban’s beloved natural spaces.
This was no ordinary monthly hike; August is a significant month for the nature reserve. This month marks the seventh anniversary of the official proclamation by eThekwini Municipality of Burman Bush as a nature reserve.
“This declaration in 2018 was a defining moment, one that secured the integrity of this vital green lung within our urban spaces,” shared Nicky Burke, Friends of Burman Bush committee member and Warden of BP Scout Camp.
He was a passionate musician, nature lover and dear friend …
“Also on August 31, 2018, we lost Simon Milliken, a respected musician and lover of nature, to a tragic, fatal and violent attack which took place at the reserve. His passing shook the community and changed the way we looked at safety in our natural spaces,” said Burke.
She continued, “In response to this incident, real change was set in motion. The reserve has since been fully-fenced, with 24/7 security presence, along with the introduction of patrol dogs that assist with monitoring the safety of visitors.”
Volunteer guide at Burman Bush Nature Reserve and Durban Botanic Gardens, Christen Sole, was stunned by the number of hikers who turned up. Between sharing knowledge of trees and insight into birds, Sole tapped into the history of the reserve.
“It was founded by Thomas Burman. He left the land for the people of Durban. It was made a wildlife reserve in 1932 by the then Town Council of Durban. It was only proclaimed officially as a Nature Reserve in 2018, affording it status as a protected nature conservation area.”
On the recent trail, she shared that it was a tribute to resilience, a celebration of progress and a quiet vow in memory of those who shaped the journey of Burman Bush.
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