Conservation

The MCSA-CT section and its members undertake a variety of activities that assist with the conservation of the natural flora in the mountains. This ranges from research-based work, such as plant identification, liason with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI - of which many staff members are also MCSA members) and Cape Nature, supporting projects like the Cedar Planting initiative in the Cederberg, as well as getting down to the dirty work of alien clearing. The MCSA-CT section organises regular hack meets on the Cape Peninsula and further afield (in the Hex River Mountains, Limietberg, etc) on MCSA properties, state land and even on privately-owned land. The primary objective is always conservation of the natural environment, but bolstering good relations with landowners is also a good secondary outcome. The club has hacking tools - from gloves and loppers to chainsaws - that are made available for members to use on hacks.

If you haven’t been on a hack, try it! It is a surprisingly satisfying activity, because you are giving something back to the mountains, whereas normally we are just there for the taking. See you soon!

Environment

The MCSA-CT section's Environment Sub-Committee is involved in activities such as:

• Responding to development proposals that may impact on mountain environments
• Encouraging ongoing research on the club properties
• Assisting with the development of management plans for sport climbing and the club’s properties
• Encouraging MCSA-CT to partner with key stakeholders (e.g. conservancies, fire-protection associations, conservation authorities, farmers etc.)