World Wetlands Day, celebrated on 2 February each year, raises awareness of the vital role wetlands play in a healthy environment.
No matter the shape or size, wetlands are important places that help protect the environment. They clean water, provide homes for animals and help control floods by soaking up water and releasing it slowly during dry times.
There are a number of wetlands in Overstrand, such as the Onrus River wetland, the Klein River Estuary, the Dawidskraal wetland area in Betty’s Bay, Mill Stream Wetland in Stanford, the Kleinmond-Rooi Els/Lamloch-Bot River system, the Flat Street Wetland at the Hermanus Golf Course and the Paddavlei Wetland in Hawston.
Overstrand Municipality, together with Whale Coast Conservation and the Paddavlei Eco Group (PEG), have invested significant time and funding to several projects, including the Hawston Paddavlei Project. One of the highlights of the project was the upgrading and opening of the 547 m Paddavlei Milkwood Forest footpath in November 2024. Substantial progress was made in the first year of this three-year project, particularly with reed cutting.
OM Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said water-purification experiments on the stormwater quality flowing into the Paddavlei are ongoing, with continuous upgrades made to the reed shredder.
A considerable amount of cleaning was also carried out, a huge task made possible by the dedicated members of the Paddavlei Eco Group and the newly established Hawston Primary School Eco Club, following an educational outreach at the school.
