Century City Blog

Calling all Greenies!

A new Visitors' Centre on Intaka Island, which is being funded by corporate and private donations, is being built to enable Century City's environmental jewel realize its full environmental and educational potential.

Intaka Island is a unique, multi-purpose wetland situated in the heart of Century City and is home to 177 species of indigenous plants, including some red data species, as well as 120 bird species. It also boasts an internationally recognized heronry and is the starting point of Bird Life SA's Flamingo Birding Route.

This natural area has been designed to provide ecosystems to conserve a rare and threatened fynbos vegetation type, to manage and improve water quality, as well as to provide a recreational and educational amenity. It comprises 8ha of ephemeral seasonal salt pans and Sand Plain fynbos and a further 8ha of reconstructed wetlands consisting of four ponds which act as a natural water purifier for the 7km of canals at Century City.

With 6000 visitors per year and emerging partnerships with MTN Sciencentre, City of Cape Town's Youth Environmental Schools (Yes) programme and local schools, Intaka Island is becoming known as an exciting enviro-education destination.

However, to enable this important wetland to fulfill its potential in this regard, there is a clear need for a multi-functional Visitors' Centre.

The building, on which construction has already started, is estimated to cost around R2,5million. So far pledges from corporate and private donors totaling just over half of this have been received.

The professional team are all working work pro bono and where-ever possible sponsorships of materials and like will be sought.

A Trust has been established as the fund raising vehicle and application is being made to have it registered as a Public Benefit Organisation enabling it to issue Section 18 a certificates to all donors.

All sponsors will be acknowledged on plaques within the Visitors Centre, on the Century City website as well as any marketing material.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, no matter how small, or to find out more about the Visitors Centre can contact Chris Blackshaw on 021 5526889 or email him at chris@ccpoa.co.za.

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