Nature Connect successfully led a restoration event this past Friday at the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) as part of SER Make a Difference Week. The initiative united volunteers, conservationists, and community members to restore a historically degraded area within one of Cape Town’s most significant conservation sites.

Uncovering the Past, Restoring the Future

The restoration concentrated on a section of KRCA, which served as a rubble dump during the 1960s. During preparation, volunteers uncovered old glass bottles, rusted tins, and building rubble. Debris and contaminated soil cleared through dedicated work created ideal conditions for ecological restoration.

Replanting Indigenous Life

Volunteers planted 150 indigenous plants, propagated in Nature Connect’s onsite nursery, on that day. These species were carefully selected to match the original vegetation of the area, helping to restore its ecological function.

Protecting a Biodiversity Hotspot

Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area is a 52-hectare biodiversity hotspot that conserves Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF), a critically endangered vegetation type. Surprisingly, the site’s location inside the historic Kenilworth Racecourse has unintentionally protected most of it since 1881. KRCA supports over 400 indigenous plant species, several critically endangered plants, the critically endangered micro frog, and a rich variety of birds and pollinators.

A Symbol of Hope and Action

This restoration brought people together to reclaim a piece of our city’s natural heritage. It was powerful to see old rubble cleared up and new life planted in its place, symbolising hope and regeneration.

Watch the Transformation

Nature Connect has produced a short video showcasing the day’s restoration efforts, highlighting the transformation of the site and the power of collective action.