The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was awarded the first WESSA Green Coast award in South Africa in September 2018. 

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve was proclaimed a local and provincial nature reserve in 2007. The Reserve has a spectacular view down fynbos slopes, across the city, to seven kilometres of rocky and sandy coastline and the ocean and beyond. The Reserve presents itself as one of the few viewpoints in the world from where you can see two proclaimed world heritage sites, namely Table Mountain and Robben Island. The Reserve effectively conserves critically endangered fauna and flora species, one of which is the African Black Oyster catcher.

According to Rob Slater, WESSA National Coastal Coordinator: “The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has shown ongoing commitment to conserving and monitoring its sensitive coastal areas and maintained a high standard set out by the WESSA Green Coast criteria.”

The WESSA Green Coast award aims to actively promote sensitive beaches along the South African coastline. Green Coast sites aim to protect one of three main coastal themes namely; sensitive habitats, species and cultural heritage. Green Coast sites appeal to a specific sector of the tourism market that is looking for experiences in adventure, outdoor living and nature tourism along our coastline. The Green Coast award assists these sites by putting them on the tourism map and promoting them all under one tourism standard.

By achieving Green Coast status, Blaauwberg has provided a system for sustainable management of its sensitive coastal space as well as to engaged local citizens to become involved in management of this unique site.

About WESSA:

WESSA implements effective environmental, ecotourism, education and youth development programmes throughout South Africa.  The organisation improves the school curriculum through education for sustainable development and provide critical work skills training, which creates job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods in local communities. WESSA’s environmental initiatives contribute towards the restoration of ecosystems, while their Blue Flag, Green Key and Green Coast ecolabels – and associated Tourism Blue Flag and Tourism Green Coast projects in partnership with the National Department of Tourism - support tourism growth and development by encouraging responsible tourism practices and the improved management of our coastline.  For more information visit www.wessa.org.za