Page 7 - Landscape-Issue149

Seaton’s horse paddocks are framed by ongoing rewilding, and indigenous The trails are thoughtfully designed to immerse residents in the natural
flora and fauna are re-establishing themselves, adding to the biodiversity surroundings, connecting them with the landscape. They wind through coastal
around them. forests, grasslands and rewilded areas, offering an opportunity to experience
nature up close.

Melinis repens (Red Top Grass) is flourishing as a pioneer species in the wild areas of the estate, creating
a striking natural display. It has feathery, pink inflorescences and is a resilient grass, playing a vital role in
ecosystem regeneration. As a pioneer species, it helps stabilise the soil, prevent erosion and pave the way
for a diverse range of indigenous flora to put down roots.

The gatehouse roof garden is thriving, with soil
stabilising and improvement mechanisms ensuring
long-term sustainability. These enhanced soil principles
assist with retaining soil moisture, lowering water
requirements, enhancing soil regeneration and
preventing erosion, promoting healthy plant growth.

focus on the community clubhouse, the
beach and children’s play;
• Immersive and engaging refers to the trails,
ecological biomes and being in nature;
• Movement is a natural possibility due to
the scale of the open space areas.

Biodiversity
Warren Marallich from Life Green Group and Katherine Gardiner from Land Art Studio inspecting the roof
garden growth. Their expertise in sustainable landscaping and ecological design ensures that the garden is The rewilding of Seaton is focused on
thriving, with soil-stabilising and amelioration principles supporting plant establishment. restoration of the natural existing biomes.
This process is slow, often taking over three
years to start seeing the outcomes of the
It is hoped that the nature first principle will of matter ie: carbon, water and nutrients). restoration, but the aim is to re-establish
be adopted whole-heartedly by residents, These moments have been categorised biodiversity through what Rumble refers to
as the nature of the site is activated. By into vistas, refuge, connecting, immersive, as ‘quiet restoration’: we interfere where we
introducing various moments, referred to as engaging and moving. have to and leave nature to do the rest. This
luna moments, the big sky above Seaton will • Vistas celebrate whale watching, sunsets, is a patience game as we only aid nature, she
connect residents naturally with the changing sunrises, the full moon and star gazing; knows what to do. The outcome is for these
phases of the moon and nature’s cycles: • Refuge provides for bird hides, yoga and living eco-systems to provide valuable
the tides, lunar phases, seasons, migration meditation in nature; ecological functions to the development
patterns and bio-geochemical cycles (cycles • Connecting occurs throughout, with a and its surrounds, with the beneficiaries

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 149 2025 5