EASTER 2026 NEWS LETTER

Happy Easter!  This time of year, is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends and also to step aside and reflect on what is truly meaningful in our lives!   It also gives us an opportunity to reflect on our values that resonate deeply with our shared commitment to conserving the natural heritage of Pennington. This special time of year brings not only reflection, but also an opportunity to reconnect with our natural environment which makes this community so unique.

Autumn on the South Coast is a truly magical time.  Although the heat of summer has not yet passed, we look forward to cooler weather with less humidity!  The lush tropical vegetation reminds us why Pennington remains such a special South Coast destination.  Our indigenous forests, wetlands, and open spaces continue to thrive thanks to the oversight, efforts and care of our residents, members and volunteers.

We encourage everyone to take time this Easter to share a picnic at the Nkomba Nature Reserve or to explore the Nkomba Circular Trail and/or the Makamati Trail.  Otherwise, to enjoy a quiet beach walk or simply sit and appreciate the amazing biodiversity this area has to offer!

Over the past few months, the Conservancy has been actively engaged in:

• Monitoring sensitive environmental areas, including wetlands and coastal vegetation.   The Coastal Dune rehabilitation project was initiated years ago by the late Eddie Hatting with excellent results in rehabilitating the dune vegetation and stabilizing the dunes.  Currently the fencing is being replaced as it is no longer functional.   Margie Hatting will be writing the story of this successful initiative,  the Coastal Dune project, which we will post on our web-site. 
• Providing input and oversight on local development proposals.  The Conservancy has recently attended many stakeholders meetings with Umdoni Municipality in light of the recent Development Tenders circulated by UM.  We are pursuing the renewal of two MOUs (Makamati & Nkomba Bird Sanctuary) and applying for a few more, to formally become the responsible custodians of many of the unattended green spaces/ vacant lots in Pennington! 
• Involvement in and support of alien vegetation clearing and litter removal programmes.  The ‘Green Team’ show such enthusiasm and dedication to this project on a weekly basis!  Please contact Mandy (072 380 5997)  if you would like to be part of this team?
• Promoting environmental awareness within the community.   The ARK project and ‘Transforming from Gardeners to Guardians of Nature’ are two of our initiatives.

‘The ARK (Acts of Restorative Kindness) project’ is a recent initiative where an area is set aside and plants in that space are allowed to grow ‘wild’ – undisturbed – no cutting of grass etc.  The two ARK projects at the Beach Café have evolved very differently and it has been a delight to see the variety of plants taking root now that the area is undisturbed – particularly at the ARK near the railway siding!  For interest, we are making a list of the plants in each of the ARKs.  However, alien and invasive plants, which also enjoy this space, need to be kept under control.  So, on Saturdays, you will see some of our team weeding the area.

‘Transforming from Gardeners to Guardians of Nature’ requires a mental transformation from neat, tidy gardens with large stretches of lawn, to copying Nature.  Nature is mostly untidy and can be messy, so allowing it to evolve naturally with only a ‘little control’ i.e. removing unwanted, invasive and alien plants, requires a mind shift.   Also, ideally, it is important to plant indigenous but also to focus on endemic plants, in an effort to provide the right food and create a safe habitat for our wild creatures and insects.   An article on this subject has been posted on our website for your information and interest!

In the coming months we are hoping to resuscitate our community gatherings and informative evenings where we can share information and fellowship around topics of interest relating to our natural environment.

Quote:

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

This Easter season, we invite you to be part of the conservation effort:

• Plant indigenous species in your garden to support local ecosystems.
• Think 10 times before chopping down a Tree!  Pennington is loved for its beautiful trees and forests.  Before cutting down a tree, listen to the YouTube video “Why you should touch a Tree every day”.  When felling a tree, remember to make sure you have permission and a permit in place beforehand.
• Reduce waste and recycle wherever possible.  Recycling Wednesdays from 9 – 10 am.
• Respect wildlife—observe without disturbing and don’t use poisons – full stop!
• Don’t litter – pick up litter wherever and whenever possible! 
• Report environmental concerns so we can act swiftly and responsibly. 

Every small action contributes to preserving the natural beauty we all cherish.

Welcome to Kayleigh Albers who has stepped into Mary McKenzie’s shoes and will be organizing the Markets and Cultural Evenings as well as involving herself with the Waste and Recycling Team!

Pennington is more than just a place—it is unique!  Its residents really work together as a community by caring, connecting and sharing our local responsibilities.   At Easter, we celebrate not only this special tradition, but also the spirit of working together to protect what matters most and that which cannot safeguard itself.

The months ahead as the weather cools and growth slows down, we will catch up with marginalized tasks and hopefully, initiate new projects!  We are sure this will also bring new opportunities and challenges.   We will continue to keep you informed and involved every step of the way.  

• Now is a good time of the year to mulch your soil as it revitalizes itself over the winter months.   In Autumn, Nature provides this mulch as she drops her leaves.  Leaves make an excellent mulch and should be left on the ground and not raked up or blown into piles or dumped!  Simply allow the leaves to drop and ‘leave’ them on the ground to feed the microbes in your soil!  Also consider practicing the ‘chop and drop’ method of gardening as you weed and prune back for winter, instead of making a pile to throw on the compost heap, lay the ‘green waste’ between your plants together with leaves, twigs and logs.   This forms a mulch which protects the soil and as this material degrades, it recycles itself and feeds the microbes in the soil, which in turn feeds our plants!

The Conservancy remains committed to working collaboratively with residents, local authorities, and environmental bodies to ensure that our wild spaces and wild creatures are nurtured and protected. These efforts are ongoing and we are grateful to all members who contribute their time, efforts, expertise and passion to supporting this organization! 

PLEASE DIARISE :  The Pennington Conservancy AGM is being held on Saturday, 9^th May.   We look forward to seeing you there!

We are looking for new Committee Members who can serve mainly on the environmental arm of our organization!  If you have a passion for protecting our wild places and sustaining our unique environment, please consider stepping forward to serve on our Committee!  This is the area of our greatest need!   Also, if you are unable to serve on the Committee but would like to help, in either case, please be in touch with one of our Committee members or email us at admin@penningtonconservancy.co.za!  Your involvement would be most welcome!

May this Easter bring you and your loved one’s peace, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the natural world around us.

Thank you for being part of the Pennington Conservancy community.

Warm regards,