Get out in the open – visit Melville Koppies
If you visit Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) now, you’ll find certain areas that are black from burning. This was a planned burn to keep the Koppies as grassland.
“Grasslands have been around for millions of years and fire is a necessity for grasslands. Fire burns the dead material creating ash, which sends nutrients to the soil so that plants can regrow and seeds can find a space to lodge themselves, germinate and sprout. “Burning also stops trees taking over from the grassland,” explained Jenny Grice, Melville Koppies volunteer.
The recent burn has exposed round mounds of compacted soil. These are the termitary mounds of the snouted termite– the biggest guzzlers of the grass on the Koppies.
The mounds march along adjacent to the path and up the hillside.
In a few months, when you come back again and walk the same route, you will see how everything has grown back, greener and stronger.
Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday from 8:00 to 11:30. There is no need to pre-book.
The cost for adults is R80 and R40 for children with season tickets for a year at R500 per adult also available. These are not transferable.
All income is used for the maintenance and security of the Koppies. Security on the Koppies is provided for and you can park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or visit www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.
