Bioblitz at Garden Route Dam on Saturday 4 December, but you can start NOW

GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Dam and surrounding open space provide a valued recreational area for many residents as well as visitors to George. The area is a refuge for wildlife on the edge of town, providing great opportunities for locals to learn about our natural heritage. Despite a history of forestry and invasion by alien vegetation, the fynbos is recovering well, especially in areas where aliens are controlled.

If approved, the proposed Garden Route Dam development will permanently transform approximately 67 hectares of vegetation and habitat for wildlife into roads, sports fields, and buildings.

Specialist studies for the Environmental Impact Assessment are always limited in time and budget, and could therefore miss sensitive areas, or species of conservation concern that could better inform the development layout.

This happened recently when a housing development in King George Park was forced to re-design entirely following the discovery of the endangered Knysna Leaf-folding Frog. The wetland had already been flattened by heavy machinery before it was found.

Speak up for nature
Biodiversity in general, and species of conservation concern in particular can significantly influence the way developments are planned, resulting in sustainable development that gives due consideration to protection of our natural heritage for generations to come.

We therefore call on all those who use and enjoy the natural space around the dam to sign up to the iNaturalist app, and start taking photos of anything and everything you see. You can even make audio recordings of bird and frog calls!

If you care about the future of the space you enjoy and share with wildlife, you can make a difference in how development is planned and progresses at the dam.

This information will be used as part of the Public Participation process of the impact assessment.

The proposed layout included in background documentation for the development, and the approximate development footprint measures ca. 67 hectares.

Join the Bioblitz

Wessa Eden invites all who use the area to a Bioblitz at the Garden Route Dam on Saturday 4 December armed with smart phone or camera (GPS functions switched on!).

Take GOOD photos of everything you see - birds, plants, insects, frogs...
When you return home and have a good internet connection, upload the photos onto the iNaturalist website www.inaturalist.org .