Working at the wetlands

What a great morning! I joined the men and woman (one) of the City of Cape Town Nature Conservation and Wally Petersen of the Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group down at Skilpadsvlei, where a large-scale planting of wetland vegetation was taking place. The sky was grey and a cold north-wester was blowing off the Atlantic, but down in the wetland behind the milkwoods the spirit was enthusiastic and willing as we dug, planted, wallowed in the mud and occasionally almost slipped into the vleis. The area has been restored to its original and natural function of a wetland supporting a variety of amphibious and avian life, having been poorly treated over the years as a dumping ground for builders' rubble (illegally, of course).

This year's rain has caused the water to rise far above the expected levels and some of the previous plantings have not fared so well under water, but restios and other plants that love to get their feet wet were the order of the day. At last I had found a use for the garish, yet oddly attractive rubber boots I bought at the beginning of winter and without them, there is no way I would have been able to help under those swampy conditions. There were times when it was like quicksand as I tramped the plants into position and found myself overbalancing as one foot remained firmly clamped in the mud. Luck came my way on Friday the 13th and I didn't find myself face down in the vlei.

Despite grovelling in the mud for many hours without gloves, not one fingernail broke, although it required a good soaking in a basin of bubble bath and very hot water to clean the dirt out afterwards! A local restaurant sent down trays bearing filter coffee to keep the chain gang moving and in three hours we planted three truckloads of plants.

It was really rewarding to be part of the team working there and to know that our rates are being used for conservation purposes still. It makes it seem worthwhile paying them, and to meet the men on the ground and listen to their conversation about what is planned in this arena gives hope for the future.