Friends of Rietvlei
Member of the Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa Western Cape Region
Welcome to the Friends of Rietvlei Website
The Friends of Rietvlei provides assistance and support for the management of the Rietvlei Wetland Reserve, Cape Town. We are also involved in environmental issues in the Blaauwberg Area as most such issues have a direct or indirect effect on Rietvlei and the Diep River Estuary.
World Wetlands Day - 2nd February 2012
The World Wetlands Day theme for 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism and is linked to the theme for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, COP11: Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation, which will take place in July 2012, in Bucharest, Romania.
Wetland tourism has benefits both locally and nationally for people and wildlife – benefits such as stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people and thriving ecosystems. At least 35% of Ramsar Sites around the world record some level of tourism activity and this percentage is consistent throughout all regions. Of course it is important to consider tourism in all wetlands – not just those designated as Ramsar Sites – since the Contracting Parties to the Convention are committed to managing all wetlands. World Wetlands Day 2012
It is worth noting that tourism is only one of the services that wetlands deliver. Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands and educating tourists on the value of wetlands contributes to the health of the world's wetlands and the long-term benefits that wetlands provide to people, wildlife, economics, and biodiversity.
To date, the Ramsar Convention has not had a specific focus on wetlands, tourism and recreation.
The Convention today:
Number of Contracting Parties: 160.
Number of designated sites: 1971.
Total area of designated sites: 190,737,919 ha.
» Click here to read more about the Ramsar Convention «
Diep River Estuary Management Plan
The Diep River Estuary Management Plan compiled by consultants appointed by C.A.P.E. Estuaries Programme and the City of Cape Town, has been updated and is available on this website.
» Click here for more about the Diep River Estuary Management Plan «
The Friends of Rietvlei is a registered Nonprofit Organisation - Registration No. 067-504 NPO.
© Friends of Rietvlei 2006-2011. All rights reserved. • Developed by Blue Cape Media • Hosted by Snowball Effect (Pty) Ltd
The Friends of Rietvlei Website is dedicated to the conservation and management of the beautiful Rietvlei Wetland Reserve in suburban Cape Town, South Africa.Rietvlei,western cape,eco-tourism,travel,africa,south africa,trails,birds,flamingos,pelicans,bird-watching,birdlife,wetlands,conservation,protected area,environmental education,ecology,conservation management,fish,potamogeton,typha,blue-green algae,nutrients,estuary,estuarine ecology,fynbos,water quality. The Friends of Rietvlei Website is dedicated to the conservation and management of the beautiful Rietvlei Wetland Reserve in suburban Cape Town, South Africa.Rietvlei,western cape,eco-tourism,travel,africa,south africa,trails,birds,flamingos,pelicans,bird-watching,birdlife,wetlands,conservation,protected area,environmental education,ecology,conservation management,fish,potamogeton,typha,blue-green algae,nutrients,estuary,estuarine ecology,fynbos,water quality. The Friends of Rietvlei Website is dedicated to the conservation and management of the beautiful Rietvlei Wetland Reserve in suburban Cape Town, South Africa.Rietvlei,western cape,eco-tourism,travel,africa,south africa,trails,birds,flamingos,pelicans,bird-watching,birdlife,wetlands,conservation,protected area,environmental education,ecology,conservation management,fish,potamogeton,typha,blue-green algae,nutrients,estuary,estuarine ecology,fynbos,water quality.