Betty's Bay – A Rural Village Conservancy
Why do people visit or reside in Betty's Bay? Many other places are better served with shopping centres, bright lights and job opportunities. Yet, certain people are attracted to our village and prefer to be nowhere else.
Surely the main reason for their choice is the overwhelming natural beauty that surrounds us on all sides.
We are fronted by the sea – open all the way to Antarctica and with this expanse of water come the whales, the penguins and sea-birds. Part of our coastline is protected from exploitation by a Marine Protected Area; our beautiful beaches and our rocky shores are a constant fascination.
Flanking Betty's Bay lies the 18 000ha wild mountain splendor of the Kogelberg, cloaked in pristine fynbos unsurpassed anywhere in the world. This natural phenomenon, known as the Cape Floral Kingdom , is a hotspot of biodiversity and provides us with unique gardens on individual plots and in the areas surrounding the village. From the Kogelberg flow rivers and streams providing us with clean mountain water and wetland lakes. W ithin this haven lies the Harold Porter Botanic Garden, set against the backdrop of the mountain and watered from two wooded kloofs.
Above us stretches a dark sky where one may still marvel at the myriad stars and other celestial objects and where dark nights occasionally allow us to observe fireflies and phosphorescent waves.
Our small town is characterized by the absence of most of the factors that have served to render urban life increasingly stressful and unpleasant. There is little traffic, no industrialization, no overcrowding, noise or air pollution and rampant crime does not feature. Small wonder then, that many city dwellers have sought refuge in Betty's Bay, either temporarily or permanently.
Although these resources are free for us to appreciate, everything has its price – a price that cannot be quantified in monetary terms. We owe a debt of enormous gratitude to those who, over the years, have been responsible - in so many different ways - for preserving and protecting our environment. The continued need for community involvement and the reconciliation of development and conservation are the factors underlying the internationally recognized 90 000ha Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which embraces Betty's Bay, both landward and seaward.
Our obligation as the current custodians of the magic of Betty's Bay is to be constantly vigilant and to involve ourselves actively in maintaining the integrity of this special place. To achieve this we have to account for ourselves when considering the following issues:
• Indigenous Vegetation: When building, the entire property should not be cleared of vegetation; rather nurture your existing indigenous garden. Unwanted plants can be relocated or donated to a nursery. If a lawn must be established, buffalo grass, rather than invasive kikuyu, should be planted.
• Alien (invasive) Plants: These threaten not only our indigenous fynbos but also associated animals, birds and insects.
• Fresh W ater: All water is a precious resource. Use sparingly.
• Marine Resources: Poaching is illegal, irresponsible and short-sighted
• Fire: Uncontrolled fire is a major hazard, especially in highly combustible fynbos, and threatens plants, animals and property.
• Noise:The absence of electronically fortified and mechanical noise is one of the attractions of Betty's Bay.
• Outdoor Lights: Owing to a deliberate decision, there are no street lights that could either pollute the night or affect the breeding cycles of both flora and fauna. Outdoor lights need to be discreet and not be left burning all night. Glare of external lights should be restricted to the boundaries of your property.
• Pets: Pets are welcome but must be controlled. They must neither constitute a nuisance or danger factor, nor a threat to birds and other wildlife.
• W aste: Support the Recycling Program. Refuse bags should be put out only on the day of collection, otherwise they are torn open by mongooses or crows and the contents scattered by the wind. Littering is not an option.
• Roads: Our roads are still gravel and very much in keeping with the rural atmosphere. Keep to the speed limits and be a considerate driver.
• Sustainable Development: Betty's Bay is a unique conservation-oriented community. In this respect it is neither appropriate nor suitable to impose the urban-type development from which our residents and visitors have fled.
Pledge
• Our pledge as members of this community is to care and conserve the natural splendor and natural resources of Betty's Bay.
• We undertake to act in an environmentally sustainable manner in the context of Betty's Bay being principally a conservation community.
• We will involve ourselves in actively resisting any development that is in conflict with the ethos of Betty's Bay.
• We do this for our community, for visitors and for future generations.
Proposal
In order to strengthen our pledge, we propose to establish Betty's Bay as a Rural Village Conservancy
Invitation
We therefore invite you to consider our pledge and our proposal. Should you associate yourself with our pledge and with the initiative to establish Betty's Bay as a Rural Village Conservancy, kindly add your signature to the list.
Contact : Mike Stakemire + 27 (0) 28 272 9122 or gjirvine@iafrica.com
