Friends of Elsie’s Peak
This hacking/conservation group was formed in Glencairn Heights in 2000 as an entity of its own having previously fallen under the umbrella of the Simon’s Town Flora Conservation Group.
Major fires had swept the hillside and considerable work was needed in the construction of new paths and the control of the tens of thousands of alien seedlings that such fires generate. After bring this under control and creating the paths that are used to day, and have recently been upgraded by TMNP, the group turned its attention to the vast alien forest then extending to the top of the Glencairn Quarry.
Valuable assistance was provided by cutters employed by TMNP and the resultant heaps were control fired on the 20th April 2004 creating one of largest wood load fires seen in the Cape. Following that fire seedlings once again appeared in abundance and again were hand weeded.
Help in this ongoing task is provided on occasions by school groups which are most welcome and also gives an opportunity to provide them with an insight into conservation work while enjoying a period on the hillside.
On a more permanent basis the group works weekly at varying spots from the sea to two kms inland and is very grateful that Tabankulu Addiction Recovery Centre provides regular assistance which is also a form of rehabilitation for their residents. This is normally on Thursday afternoons and a larger group assembles on the afternoon of the 1st Saturday monthly. Walks off the normal paths combined with a little weeding can be arranged on most days.
The group leader is Iluska Allan who can be contacted on 021 782-2736 or at ianallan@mweb.co.za
By Ian Allan