Page 24 - Landscape SA 98

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE

Tam Scheidegger of the conservation team at Melville Koppies next to a splendid specimen of Erythrina zeyheri (Ploegbreker), with St
Mary's Waverley on a school educational outing. Scholars are encouraged to stay on the paths for sensitive use of the grasslands. The
common name of the shrublet is Ploegbreker (Ploughbreaker) because the large tuberous rootstock is tough enough to break a hand
plough. The prickles on the leaves discourage herbivory.
Photo by Wendy Carstens

MANAGEMENT OF NATURE

RESERVE

MELVILLE KOPPIES, JOHANNESBURG - PART 1

Article by Carol Knoll
All photos by Carol Knoll
unless otherwise stated.

Amongst many other voluntary duties, chairman of Melville Koppies (MK), Wendy Carstens,
serves as conservation manager to ensure that the ecological integrity of the Koppies is
maintained. The nature reserve belongs to Jo’burg City Parks & Zoo (JCPZ) and Carstens
liaises with City Parks, the city councillors and the local community, along with involvement
in research being undertaken by Wits University and the University of Johannesburg. She has
been involved with the Koppies since 1999 and also manages the employees and volunteers,
does fund raising and organises publicity. She arranges group hikes, although not at present
because of Covid restrictions.

22 Landscape SA • Issue 98 2021