Community members join to clean William Nicol Bird Sanctuary
Environmentalist, Pauline Dickson, called on residents to join the next cleanup in May.
The Northern Suburbs Green Spaces clean-up project, led by environmentalist Pauline Dickson, tackled the William Nicol Bird Sanctuary this past weekend to clear alien vegetation and litter. Despite the noble cause and repeated reminders, the turnout was not as expected, with City Park notably absent from the event.
Dickson, expressing disappointment, remarked, “I got word that the reason why City Parks did not attend was that their vehicle was in for panel beating and the team was on training.”
Due to City Park’s absence, the clean-up effort faced challenges, particularly with the waterway, where invasive alien growth proved thick and difficult to tackle without heavier equipment. “The clean-up would have been better as the invasive aliens are very thick and the brush cutters would have made easier work with those. The residents did what they could with the equipment they had.”
Dickson voiced hope for greater support from City Parks in future events, with the next scheduled cleanup set for May. “They appear to be positive about our clean-ups and with constant reminders, when they are available they will attend.”
In response to this, City Park’s spokesperson Jenny Moodley said that City Parks works according to a schedule across the city. “Residents are kindly requested to align their initiatives with the schedule or send an email to Philip Mkhombo at phillip.mkhombo@jhbcityparks.com.”
Moodley explained that City Parks have been at the forefront of all cleaning operations. “Due to the non-allocation of overtime budgets during its off-peak seasons, JCPZ will only collect garden waste during the week. Residents who are coming together to remove invasive plant material are greatly appreciated and JCPZ will support these critical small-scale initiatives by collecting waste material during the week.”
Regardless of the challenges, Dickson remained optimistic and acknowledged the people who supported the cause. “The councillor was there and several leaders of other groups, like Green Spaces and Bird clubs and the chairperson of HMRA.”
She shared the importance of community support in revitalising neglected green belts. “These areas have the potential to serve as positive assets for recreational purposes and safe commuting routes. However, without collective action, they remain vulnerable to criminal activity.”
Calling for collective participation from residents, schools, businesses, and interest groups, Dickson urged, “Together, we can reclaim these green spaces and ensure they are accessible and enjoyable for all. Let’s work together to create a greener, cleaner future for our neighbourhoods.”
Dickson encouraged residents to attend the next cleanups from 09:00 to 11:00:
- May 11 – Cumberland Bird Sanctuary
- June 8 – Krom Wetland
- July 20 – Ferndale Wetland
- August 17 – William Nicol Bird Sanctuary
- September 14 – Cumberland Bird Sanctuary
- October 12 – Krom Wetland
- November 16 – Cumberland Bird Sanctuary
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