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Northern Shores Environmental Action Plan
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To be read with Medium Term Action Plan and Map
- Artificially introduce disturbance regimes (AIDR) to reduce dominance of Kikuyu, Cottonwool and Buffalo grasses and encourage variety of other species in decline. Firstly set aside 10m x 10m plots for different treatments of control i.e. brush cutter, mechanical removal and hot burn.
- AIDR - Secondly reduce gradient for wheel chair path by removing topsoil and bulbs, lowering and re-shaping and after completion of the pathway replacing the bulbs and topsoil and the area watered and weeded.
- AIDR - Thirdly in designated area remove dominant grasses by hand, surface ripping or shallow disc ploughing to a depth of 10 - 15 cm.
- Plant up with additional thorny and other coastal thicket species to provide greater diversity and dense and impenetrable bird nesting sites.
- Encouraged attractive flowering species such as Bonatea speciosa, Chironia baccifera, Knowltonia, and Chasmanthe.
- Remove selectively Passerina from the managed grassy areas.
- Continue management as currently practiced with further steps being taken to improve tidal exchange.
- Erect interpretive boardwalk providing information on the estuary as the nursery of many species, and the habitat of the salt marsh.
- Erect second boardwalk to provide access at spring high tides and facilitate tidal exchange westwards of it.
- Without blocking views, plant additional low growing species to give more diversity.
- Removed all exotics from display gardens and increase diversity of indigenous species.
- Reshape display beds on either side of the main entrance with a more natural and less obviously 'gardened' look.
- Replace grasses with tree, shrub and ground species associated with the coastal forest and thicket biomes to create "trees in a large planted bed".
- Create natural appearance to the smaller gardened areas by removing trenching around the edges and planting with a limited variety of species.
- Save for the small group of Manatoka trees remove Beefwoods and other exotic tree species and six of the large Eucalyptus trees along Links Drive.
- Plant new trees in small copses centred around existing indigenous trees in the open ensuring that views to the estuary and mountains are maintained.
- Encourage and retain indigenous species (White Milkwood, Monkey Plum, Euclea and Rhus) around Eucalyptus trees and stumps.
- Retain system of mown grass path along the sea wall and following desire lines across the park.
- Maintain as "the common" the extensive informal mown grass areas used for a variety of sport and games - unfortunately Kikuyu predominates.
- Ensure continued maintenance of benches and plastic bag dispensers and bins for dog litter and promote adherence to the latter.
- Discontinue mowing in the areas of spreading salt marsh.
- Introduce brick pathway from the Park entrance running westwards where it will exit opposite the recently planted Wandelpad.
- Level and re-grass parking areas at the main and west entrances.
- Illustrate the hydrology of Leisure Isle with story board and hand pump and spike that can be operated by interested walkers.
- Whilst remaining functional, re-position common signage so that it not obtrusive and does not block views. Re-position Municipal litter bins and remove redundant poles along the sea wall.
- Replace showcase at the entrance with a larger and more functional design which will allow better presentation of information.
- New flora species to be introduced to be selected with the objective of encouraging birds, butterflies and larvae.
- Position nesting boxes for Spotted eagle and Barn owls in quieter areas in eucalyptus trees not on Links Drive.
- Introduce disturbance regimes to encourage the flowering of geophytes and herbs and weed out the invasive grasses and sword fern.
- Open up "nature walk" pathway including placement of benches in attractive positions.
- Continue the pole fence along Links Drive running east to the Tennis Club parking area.
- Improve drainage at the north/west of the tennis courts to avoid salt water flooding.
-Dependant on availability of funding-
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© Steenbok Nature Reserve 2009
P O Box 676, Knysna, 6570
Tel (083)754 5390 or 044 384 1896
Email: info@steenboknaturereserve.org.za
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