Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has renewed permits for 29 volunteer groups, enabling them to continue invasive alien plant clearing operations within the park for the next three years. The volunteer groups play a critical role in TMNP’s conservation programme, contributing significantly to efforts to control invasive alien vegetation that threatens indigenous biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and water resources.
The management and eradication of invasive alien plants remain a key conservation priority for TMNP. Invasive species such as pine, eucalyptus (gum), hakea, and wattle spread rapidly across the landscape, competing with indigenous fynbos for space, water, and nutrients. If left unchecked, these plants reduce biodiversity, disrupt natural ecological processes and place additional pressure on already scarce water resources.
Dense stands of invasive vegetation also increase wildfire risks by contributing substantial fuel loads. This can lead to hotter and more intense fires, threatening both the Park’s sensitive ecosystems and neighbouring communities.
Over the past year, TMNP volunteers contributed an estimated 7,500 person-days of work and treated more than one million invasive alien plants across the park.
TMNP extends its sincere appreciation to all volunteers for their continued dedication and commitment. This includes the Friends of Elsie’s Peak, Friends of Silvermine, Newlands Conservation Group, Boyes Drive Clearing Group, and many other volunteer organisations, as well as the Sugarbird Trust, which coordinates 13 clearing groups.
Their efforts greatly contribute to the conservation outcomes within the park. The Park also welcomes three new groups to the programme: FynForce from Kommetjie, Project Noordhoeked from Noordhoek and an additional Sugarbird Trust team operating in the Silvermine Valley.
SANParks acknowledges and values the continued support of all volunteer groups whose collective efforts play a vital role in protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site.