Enjoy nature at the new Schapenberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West
The City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, launched the Schapenberg Nature Reserve as part of the Heritage Month celebrations on Friday, September 19. From left: Reginal Booysen and Louis van Wyk from the City’s environmental management department (EMD); Councillor Norman McFarlane; Eddie Andrews; Lewine Walters from EMD; and Carla Wood, chairperson of the Helderberg Nature Reserve Protected Area Advisory Committee.
Image: City of Cape Town
The new Schapenberg Nature Reserve offers visitors spectacular views and an opportunity to experience endangered veld.
Located on the western side of the Schapenberg Hills in Somerset West, it offers visitors views of the False Bay coastline and the Kogelberg, Hottentots Holland, and Peninsula Mountains.
The City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, launched the nature reserve as part of the Heritage Month celebrations on Friday, September 19.
It consists of about 14 hectares of critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld, which adjoins a private conservation area, according to the City. It is also host to many threatened plant species and a great diversity of plants and wildlife, including the Blue-beard Lionface (Nemesia barbata) and Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis).
While the Schapenberg Nature Reserve is relatively small, it neighbours the 40-hectare private Boskloof Conservation area. The City said there is also a potential to link the site to Vergelegen’s Nature Reserve and the Hottentots Hollands Mountains via Morgenster Estate, which also has important remaining natural areas.
"Then, to see the spectacular plants and highly threatened and poorly protected Swartland Shale Renosterveld that will now fall under our protection and management, made me extra proud. When we took over the Schapenberg land about two months ago, we immediately started with alien clearing to mitigate the huge fire risk these posed, and we will continue this work.
"There is joy and educational opportunities Capetonians will get from visiting Schapenberg. Those living in Somerset West now have a beautiful nature reserve on their stoep. And I encourage residents further afield to make an outing of it. I’m also excited to see learners benefiting from educational programmes and involvement at the reserve," said Mr Andrews.
Schapenberg is located along Romulus Street in Somerset West. Currently, visitors can enjoy walking, hiking, and bird watching.
The City stated that the environmental management department is busy developing the ideal activities that are sustainable and compatible with Schapenberg’s natural environment
The Schapenberg Nature Reserve is home to the Blue-beard Lionface (Nemesia barbata).
Image: City of Cape Town
The reserve is ideal for walking and offers visitors spectacular views of the False Bay coastline and the Kogelberg, Hottentots Holland and Peninsula Mountains.
Image: City of Cape Town