United for greener pastures
RiverWel RA joins FroK members in tackling invasive species and restoring the greenbelt on Cockspur Bridge.
Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) has joined forces with the RiverWel Residents Association (RA) to restore the greenbelt on Cockspur Bridge in Weltevreden Park to its former glory.
This collaborative effort brought together volunteers from RAs and organisations to remove invasive trees that had been threatening the environment. According to FroK member Karin Spottiswoode, these invasive trees called the Australian blackwood tree, have sparked concerns about the proliferation of invasive species, which can outcompete indigenous plants for water and nutrients, ultimately harming the local ecosystem.
By working together, FroK and the RiverWel RA aimed to not only restore the greenbelt but also foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment.
“The blackwood tree, by law, is considered an invasive species in South Africa. Since we can’t do the full job of cutting it down, we have to cut them from the top and poison the roots, then come back after two weeks to dispose of the roots from reproducing.
“The removal of invasive plants and trees is just the first step in the restoration process. We will be working closely with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to tackle these invasive trees and plants and educate them on the root causes.
“By working together, we can achieve far more than we could alone, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on our community,” Karin said.
FroK and the RiverWel RA plan to follow up with planting indigenous species and implementing measures to prevent the regrowth of invasive plants and trees.
