HISTORY OF TOKAI PARK:
The Pine and Gum plantations were planted on state land starting in the 1890s (a few decades after all indigenous forests were protected and timber extraction from them stopped). In the 1800s and first half of the 1900s conservation was not an issue: there was tons of natural veld. It was only the demise of the large game around the First World War that prompted conservati
on. And during the last half of the 1900s it became apparent that ecosystems were being lost. In South Africa conservation planning only got going in the 1990s - and we were one of the leading countries (and still are! - despite our not yet having met the 10% target for conservation (which is now 17%). Cape Point was our first reserve in Cape Town in 1939. Table Mountain only became a National Monument in 1958, a nature reserve in 1963, a National Park in 1998, a World Heritage Site in 2004, and a Natural Wonder in 2012. It was only in 1998 that the conservation significance of Tokai Forest was realized, but only in the Botanical Society Report of 1999 was it realized to be one of the top 20 conservation priorities within Cape Town. We need to stop focusing on the far away Amazon Forests and Whales and Polar Bears: many species in Cape Town are in a far worse state than any of these and Tokai Park is among the highest of the conservation priorities. If you are really concerned about conservation and would like to get involved, either with clearing alien vegetation or planting fynbos then this is the right group for you! Our activities are:
Alien hacking
This is the heavy group using chainsaws, poisons and tackling the larger aliens and dense infestations. They will largely augment the Working for Water teams that annually work through the park, specifically tackling those areas where W4W are not succeeding in. Convenor: Jay Cowen - Tuesday afternoons. Alien pulling
This is the light version of the alien hacking, and involves mainly hand pulling seedlings and lighter work such as lopping and stump treating odd plants. It will also involve poisoning the persistent gum coppice. It is largely focussed on the restoration areas. Convenors: Margaret Kahle; Tony Rebelo - Tuesday every alternate week: 15h00 in winter 16h00 in summer. Arboretum maintenance and development
This deals with all matters in the Tokai Arboretum. What is required here is path and sign maintenance, planting new holdings and removing dead plants, and keeping the area neat. We also keep the species lists and maps updated. Convenor: (Emile van Rooyen)
Baboons
Baboons are a sensitive issue. We would like to know where the baboons are moving seasonally, what they are doing, and what “opportunities” are leading them astray. The group is working closely with researchers, baboon monitors and other groups working with the baboons. Convenor: (Vacant)
Events
The events task team organizes events in the area. Venues at our disposal are the Arboretum Tea Room and surrounds, the Chrysalis Academy Hall, the Cape Research Centre Lecture Hall, the various picnic sites and the entire Tokai Park area. Events are to raise funds and entertain and inform the public. Convenor: (Vacant)
Fund raising and special projects
This is largely a fund-raising group, managing the finances for special projects and seeking funding for priority projects. Convenor: James Forsyth;
Fynbos restoration and maintenance
Tokai Park is the most valuable conservation area in the entire Table Mountain National Park. Two extinct species have already been planted here and many other species threatened with extinction. Fires need to be managed and plantings are done in collaboration with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens plant rescue team. We also maintain paths in the areas, making sure that walkers stick to the official paths and don’t follow baboon, porcupine and caracal paths. Convenors: Anthony Hitchcock; Tony Rebelo;
Heritage
Tokai Park has many areas of heritage value. It is important to consider these holistically as part of the Tokai package. Thus the Manor House, the Porter Estate, the Oak avenue, the Arboretum and the “elephants eye” are all features of the Tokai experience. We need people to identify problems and proactively address them. Never again must any of the heritage at Tokai fall into the state of the Manor House in the late 2000s
Convenor: Bertha van Rooyen; Alan Mountain;
Newsletter and publications
Apart from the publication of this newsletter, other publications include brochures, maps and field guides, in addition to maintaining information in the notice boards. Convenors: Vacant;
Nursery
The nursery will provide plants for the shade walks and the arboretum, as well as other portions of the TMNP. Focus will be on plants for the Arboretum and local species and genotypes for neighbours wanting to plant local indigenous plants. Convenor: (Vacant)
Path, road, fencing, tree and signage maintenance
This is ongoing and vandals and graffitists keep the group very busy. This includes the maintenance of the trees along the paths. Convenor: Maud Purves;
Picnic Area maintenance and education
With the upgrade of the picnic area and its slight relocation, there is a need for people to help in the area. These include making sure that baboon-proof structures remain so – by innovative ideas to stay ahead of the baboons, that vandalism is repaired timeously, and most important to provide material to educate and enlighten visitors about the Tokai Park, TMNP, the City’s biodiversity and the uniqueness and state of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Convenor: (Vacant)
Pine plantation (Tokai Forest) maintenance
The pines will not all be removed (such as at the picnic site), and harvesting of existing commercial blocks will cease in 2024. Within these paths need to be maintained and facilities maintained. Convenor: (now redundant)
Species surveys and photographs
With over 600 species in the Sand Fynbos section alone, there is a lot of inventorying and documentation of species to be done. Many plant species can only be identified in young veld, so keen people are encouraged to submit their lists of species seen. We are also keen to document the recolonization of Fynbos birds and animals in the restored areas. These are recorded on iSpot (www.ispotnature.org) and can be seen in projects for the area - see http://www.ispotnature.org/projects/tokai-park-section-tmnp and http://www.ispotnature.org/projects/tokai-arboretum . Convenor: Tony Rebelo;
TMNP Visitor Assistance
This is the day to day running of the park, and deals with administrative issues, gates, patrolling, and other issues. This is handled directly by the reserve manager. Convenor: (Vacant)
Transformation / Development Issues
The area around Tokai is rapidly being built up. This affects not only the ambience of the park, but also its animals and ecosystems. This group assesses development proposals in the context of the natural and heritage environment of Tokai. Convenor: James Forsyth;
Wetlands maintenance
There are several important wetlands in the park: the Soetvlei, Prinskasteel, Semple, Stone Church, as well as the Prinskasteel River and canal. These need special attention regarding siltation, eutrophication (leading to domination by Bullrush) and aliens. Convenor: James Forsyth; Jenny Mountain;
See the following websites for more information:
http://sourcetosea.org.za/catchment-treasures/things-to-see-and-do/
http://www.ispotnature.org/projects/tokai-park-section-tmnp
http://www.ispotnature.org/projects/restoration-trail
http://www.ispotnature.org/projects/cape-flats-sand-fynbos
