Alberts Farm Conservancy, one of Johannesburg’s most treasured green lungs, is closing 2025 with a mix of pride, concern, and renewed community spirit. The park – a flagship site under Johannesburg City Parks – turns 80 this year, a reminder of how a former farm evolved into one of the city’s most vital open spaces.

Committee member Marianna Coetzee says the conservancy’s age is only part of its story. “Alberts Farm is 80 years old now, and it was originally a farm that became a public open space. It has grown into something incredibly important for the community and for biodiversity.”

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Spread across 74 hectares and tucked below the Northcliff Ridge between Northcliff, Albertskroon, and Greymont, the conservancy is known for its sweeping grasslands, rocky ridges, wetlands, marshes, a stream, spring, and dam. It is Johannesburg’s second-largest natural refuge after Delta Park, forming part of a broader green belt that plays a crucial role in hydrology, drainage, and flood control.

Its biodiversity remains one of its greatest strengths. “We’ve recorded small mammals, over a hundred bird species, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even all four highveld scorpions.” Coetzee noted that the park also hosts 183 species of trees, flowering plants, grasses, and forbs.

For residents across the city, Alberts Farm has long been a sanctuary for walking, running, dog-walking, cycling, education, and research. A hub of everyday life and quiet restoration. That shared love is what continues to drive the Friends of Alberts Farm Conservancy (FOAFC), the volunteer-run organisation that has worked alongside Johannesburg City Parks since 1996. “Management here is community driven. It’s important that residents are involved in the maintenance and protection of this special place.”

The FOAFC committee – a small team supported by community volunteers – co-ordinates activities through WhatsApp and Facebook groups, sharing updates on ecological issues, fundraising, wildfire alerts, events, and work parties. Their partnerships have become central to keeping the park safe. SCP Security assists with access gates and incident response, while Jozi Trails helps with trail and erosion maintenance. The group also collaborates with the Alberts Farm Parkrun team and networks with researchers and organisations to strengthen conservation work.

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Despite meaningful progress and significant highlights this year – including the red-chested flufftail sightings, successful black sparrowhawk rearing, African black duck breeding, the spruit clean-up day, the Wits bird club walk, the 100th Parkrun, and a fundraising raffle – the conservancy has had no shortage of challenges.

Coetzee said some of the year’s most pressing issues included vandalism, off-road motorbikes, illegal plant removal, snaring, pollution of the dam, damaged gates, homeless encampments, and sewage leaks. “We’ve really struggled with by-law enforcement support. There has also been significant abuse of the ridge and spring area – littering, pollution, trampling, fire-making – and that puts real pressure on the ecosystem.”

Winter wildfires added further complications, and some damaged fencing has not been repaired timeously, leaving parts of the area vulnerable.

As the festive season approaches, Coetzee hopes park users will treat the conservancy with renewed care. “Use the park safely, respect other users, keep dogs on leads, and clean up after them, and if you see litter or anything negative happening, please report it. Every bit helps.”

For the volunteers who have spent decades protecting this heritage space, the hope is simple: That the community continues to stand guard over the green refuge that has long stood guard over them.

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