Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (FOSNA), founded in the 1990s, is a public service Non Profit Organsation (NPO) which harnesses the enthusiasm, energy and skills of volunteers to help conserve the integrity of the Silvermine River, together with the flora and fauna of the surrounding protected areas, for the benefit of all.
We collaborate with and supplement the work done by the two management authorities, SANParks (for the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park) and the City of Cape town (for the Lower Silvermine Wetlands Conservation Area).
Who is on our team?
FOSNA has recently undergone a renewal of leadership. Our voluntary management team includes:
• Dave Balfour – Chairperson
• Shelley Tuck – Hiking Club
• Jay Cowan – Treasurer
• Maureen Sheldon – Membership
• Neryne Burgess – Conservation Projects
• Yvonne Viljoen – Flora Documentation Programme
• Lynda Downing – Secretary
• Martin Scholtz – Lower Silvermine Wetland Management
• Bruce Snaddon – Communications
Projects currently run by FOSNA include:
Recording flora
Documenting the flora of the TMNP and the greater Peninsula. Our substantial database, with descriptions and colour images of plants photographed, is available to the public as a phone-based App “FloraDoc” downloadable from Google Play Store.
Infrastructure and maintenance
Another group raises funds and employs staff to attend to infrastructure (paths and foot bridges), maintenance and litter removal of the Lower Silvermine Wetlands. This group also works with the CoCT to ensure that ecologically important work such as alien plant and reed removal, dredging and sewage overflow treatment are timeously conducted.
Hikes, walks and alien plant hacks
For those simply interested in recreational enjoyment of the area, regular hikes are led by experienced leaders. Alien plant hacks and recreational infrastructure installation and repair are also undertaken for the larger area.
Our vision
As part of the renewed leadership, the FOSNA committee seek to expand the pool of individuals who we appeal to and through this to increase our membership. We are particularly interested in appealing to younger individuals. We also aim to expand our educational outreach and fund raising in order to better support the management authorities conserve the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the Silvermine Nature Area.
Environmental and educational goals
Initially established under the auspices of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), FOSNA continues to be affiliated with and works to advance the educational objectives of WESSA.
