The Ramsgate Butterfly Valley Mvutshini Valley
(Place of the hippo)

“Butterflies have no boundaries and are free to go anywhere they please – Wherever there may be a host plant – eventually there will be the butterfly – who’s host plant it is”. Dr. DA Swanepoel 1969

Mvutshini Valley also known as The Butterfly Valley Conservancy

City and Town Homes

The simplicity of doing just that little bit for the environment of your local area starts at your own home. Virtually every home in South Africa has a garden of some kind. These are usually filled with alien trees bought from local nurseries. But these do nothing for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment. Being concerned by what others do to their gardens is not the way to educate others about your environment. Simply replace a tree or two in your own garden with an indigenous host plant bought from your local nursery and see the difference it will make not only to your garden but to the local environment. It is the example set that draws attention and allows others to follow suit.

Of course, the more people who follow your example, the richer your local environment becomes. Eventually you will see many more butterflies and other insects which in turn will enrich your area with many more birds etc.

Companies and Businesses

To make a change to the environment of your local city starts at your own Company or Business Enterprise. Most Companies or Business Enterprises in South Africa have some kind of trees and flowers to beautify their grounds. These are usually filled with alien trees bought from local nurseries. But these do nothing for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment. Being concerned by what others do to their gardens is not the way to educate others about your environment. Simply replace a tree or two in your own garden with an indigenous host plant bought from your local nursery and see the difference it will make not only to your garden but to the local environment. It is the example set that draws attention and allows others to follow suit.

Of course, the more Companies and Business Enterprises who follow your example, the richer your local environment becomes. Eventually you will see many more butterflies and other insects which in turn will enrich your area with many more birds etc.

Municipal Parks and Pavements

Many local Municipalities are in control of all pavements and parks in their designated areas, but little is done to enrich their respective local communities environmental needs. All Municipalities have a designated Environmental officer, who deals with trees and plants (indigenous) to their designated area. However, they are not to carry all the blame as they are there to serve the needs of the local community. Therefore it is up to the local community to ask (unfortunately repeatedly) for their pavements (where allowed) to have indigenous trees planted to enrich their streets and local environmental areas. This would include parks and vacant areas under the direct control of the local Municipality. Usually the Municipality will award a contract to a local landscaper or even a nursery to beautify the area, but fail to inform them to beautify the local environmental areas, parks and vacant areas with indigenous trees and plants. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

Caravan Parks

Most Caravan Parks in South Africa are privately owned. Many of these caravan parks have alien trees in them for shade for their visitors to come and enjoy the setting of a large park with fire places and tall trees, which is what every park owner would love to have. Any trees that die or are removed can be replaced with an indigenous tree. More trees and indigenous shrubs can be added to beautify the park. The richer the environment of the park, the more people would wish to use it. Go and get a few indigenous trees and shrubs and get the ball rolling. Your example is always there for all to see. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

Small Holdings

Most small holdings in South Africa are privately owned. Many of these small holdings have alien trees in them for shade for their visitors to come and enjoy the setting of a few chalets or a few houses to rent out. Any trees that die or are removed can be replaced with an indigenous tree. There is always more room for improvement. More trees and indigenous shrubs can be added to beautify the small holdings property. The richer the environment of the property, the more people would wish to use it for its beautiful setting and the tranquillity it has to offer. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

 

Empty Stands

Many empty stands are just that – empty. Pieces of property owned by people in other provinces, even overseas owners, don’t really care about the vacant stand that they have purchased a few years ago. One day they will build on it. Just think of the simplicity of removing all alien vegetation and replacing indigenous trees in areas that would not be built on. A few years later, a bountiful stand with lovely trees and you don’t have to cut anything down, as the layout of the land was already prepared by you several years ago. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

Homes

Most of us live in a house of some kind. We either own it or rent it from a land lord. The saying goes that everything in life starts from your own home. Most of us do our own gardening and can without much expense do some good for our gardens and the environment around us. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment. Its the little things we do for the environment that count in the long run. Those of us that can afford to use companies such as garden services, can ask them to replace all aliens with indigenous plants.

 

 

Farms

Farms have a large part to play in the environment of the area that they are situated in. Naturally, they already have an ecosystem structure that is part of the land. There are many indigenous plants and trees already there. Whenever you find an alien tree, simply remove it and replace it with two or three indigenous trees. This would only add to the natural environment already there and would increase the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. More trees can be added to areas that you would like trees to be in. None of this has to interfere with the crops that you are planting and harvesting. Trees in the right places would naturally increase the value of the property.

Butterfly Sanctuaries

No Butterfly Sanctuary in South Africa should entertain exotic butterfly species and they should all concentrate on local species of the area in which they are housed. Butterfly Sanctuaries are holiday destinations and therefore should set an example to the rest of the country as ambassadors of our butterfly species. They have a responsibility to cities and towns around them, including companies and small business enterprises, the local municipalities, caravan parks, small holdings, homes and farmers. Butterfly Sanctuaries are supposed to be information centres, whereby anyone can approach them for information and receive the help needed to start the process of beautifying, enriching and supporting their city and towns. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

 

 

 

Butterfly Breeding Centres

Butterfly Breeding Centres are similar to Butterfly Sanctuaries and are usually great supporters of their respective Butterfly Sanctuaries. Being ambassadors of the Butterfly Sanctuary in their area, they set the example for future generations still to come. Think of what this will do for the local populations of butterflies, who in turn attract birds and many other forms of insect life. This naturally enriches the local environment.

Independent Butterfly Breeding Centres

Independent Butterfly Breeding Centres are similar to Butterfly Breeding Centres and are usually great supporters of their respective Butterfly Sanctuaries. Being ambassadors of the plant bought from your local nursery and see the difference it will make not only to your garden but to the local environment. It is the example set that draws attention and allows others to follow suit.

Of course, the more Companies and Business Enterprises who follow your example, the richer your local environment becomes. Eventually you will see many more butterflies and other insects which in turn will enrich your area with many more birds etc.