The Ndlambe area has a unique biome dependent on the fact that there is winter and summer rainfall with no frost. This has resulted in plants which would be of much interest gathered within a local botanical space. It is hoped that the interest generated will result in greater understanding of the uniqueness of the space and future protection of our plants and their habitat. The garden will become a jewel in Bathurst’s tourism cap. If will also provide local hikes for tourists.
Project for the renewal of Kew Gardens – bigger and better than ever before.
The proposed botanical space is the area formerly known as Kew Gardens, in the space opposite Shangri La before you come into the village. See scale map below. At this stage local keen gardeners often assist within this area by attempting to clear alien plants. This endeavor needs a coordinated approach to become more successful.
It is therefore the objective of a local garden community to create a botanical garden. The space is currently under the trusteeship of Ndlambe Municipality, and we asked for the support of the municipality for this project. This objective has been achieved, and we would like to undertake the following initial program:
- Work on clearing out of all of the invasive alien plants
- Develop a beautiful indigenous garden
- Create a local indigenous food garden and a seed bank. This could become a showcase for the entire province and create botanical interest countrywide. As everyone visits the floral kingdom in the Western Cape, perhaps we can really create a sales pitch for these tourist to understand and visit the local thicket.
- Create an educational programme to encourage enthusiasm and passion for our local plants.
- Create short local hikes to increase tourism options is the area. This is potentially a job opportunity for future guided walks.
- Grow opportunities for hiking guides, educational speakers, maintenance staff.
Phase 1:
The envisaged first phase of the project is to sympathetically clear alien plants and remove piles of rubbish that has accumulated over time. The clearing will take place in incremental steps so that as a space is cleared beds and paths are created and planted. This will ensure ease of maintenance and help to prevent further regrowth of alien vegetation that always occurs in cleared areas.
The local community has offered to get involved in bed design, collection of rock borders and planting designs.
The community is currently growing plants for this plan or donating some of their own plants. Others have offered to buy some of the needed species.
As the plants are the star of the show and we need very many to make a big impact we will also prepare small sponsorship proposals for future dissemination. All plants will be procured from local nurseries in Port Alfred and Bathurst creating more local revenue generation.
Phase 2:
The next phase will be to ensure the longevity of the projects by including fences to stop cows destroying the space and access points for visitors.
We will also provide an educational program for future plant guides and include the development of signage and promotional activities for tourism that will link up to our other projects.
Don’t forget to check in later for an update of this project.