Paardevlei Nature Reserve has been named the City of Cape Town’s “Reserve of the Year” in recognition of the work done to establish and improve the newly established reserve.
The award was presented during the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch annual awards ceremony that was recently held, which recognises the dedication and work of staff, teams and nature reserve management.
According to Louis van Wyk, the City’s biodiversity area coordinator, Paardevlei is still in the early stages of establishment and has limited resources.
Early progress at new reserve
Reserve supervisor David Morris was transferred to the site in January 2026 and has since helped bring together support from the Friends of Paardevlei, the neighbouring Helderberg Nature Reserve team, the Invasive Species Unit and the Conservation Services Unit.
Conservation and community work
Morris said the reserve was honoured to receive the award and pointed to the ecological and cultural significance of Paardevlei. He said the main vlei is one of Cape Town’s premier birding locations and supports a diversity of birdlife, including 19 species that are of conservation concern.The reserve also contains remnants of highly threatened lowland vegetation with restoration potential, while its terrestrial areas support wildlife including caracal, large grey mongoose and Cape fox, according to Morris. "The area also has a diverse and rich cultural heritage," he added.
Friends group welcomes recognition
Tiffany Schultz, chairperson of the Friends of Paardevlei Wetland, said the group was “absolutely thrilled” that Morris’s work was being recognised by the City.
WHAT: Reserve of the Year Award
WHERE: Paardevlei Nature Reserve, De Beers Avenue, Paardevlei, Somerset West, Cape Town, 7130
INFO: T +27 21 444 9744 | Friends of Paardevlei Wetland Fb | see also MapMyWay
