Groeneweide Wetland Guardians

After the recent fire, Groeneweide’s wetland has been laid bare, revealing its full scale and beauty like never before. Streams, ferns, and hidden nooks that were once cloaked by dense vegetation are now open to view, creating a living mosaic of life and resilience. Fire is a natural reset for fynbos, but it also gives invasive species like black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) the chance to take over — outcompeting native plants and threatening the delicate balance of the ecosystem. This is where the Wetland Guardians step in. On their latest outing, ten volunteers worked along the streams of Four Waterfall Kloof, clearing black wattle seedlings in areas recently burned. Post-fire alien clearing is critical: invasive plants compete with native species for light, water and nutrients, alter soil chemistry and disrupt wetlands that sustain wildlife and rare fynbos species. By removing these invasives now, the Guardians are giving Groeneweide’s 430+ plant species, including 26 threatened taxa, a real chance to recover and flourish. The next Wetland Guardians outing is Thursday 5 March, 9–11 AM. Bring gardening clothes, gumboots and a hat, and meet at the restaurant at 09:00. For more information, contact 082 301 9041.