Dear Member,
Stretching along one of the most beautiful sections of the St Francis Bay coastline, the Two Harbours Trail has been giving residents and visitors access to this remarkable stretch of shoreline for more than 25 years.
The trail runs between the old NSRI harbour at Granny’s Pool which is now Bruces Ocean Museum Cafe and the harbour at the Port, following the coastline through public open space. Along the way are sweeping views across the bay, rocky shores and pools, dunes and coastal vegetation with plenty of opportunities to stop and see what is happening both on land and out at sea.
Those who have walked the route for many years will know that it has changed considerably. The sea has seen to that.
Over the past few years, extreme high tides and powerful storms have taken their toll. Sections of pathway and boardwalk have been washed away and, in places, the route has become noticeably more rugged. This changing character is also why Kromme Enviro-Trust now refers to it as the Two Harbours Trail, rather than the Two Harbours Walk.
It is still very much a route to be enjoyed, but today there is more rock hopping in places and sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
Looking after the trail
The story of KET’s involvement goes back to 2000, when the municipality granted the Enviro-Trust permission to establish the route across public open space, on the understanding that KET would take responsibility for its maintenance.
That responsibility continues today.
Frequent users, whether walkers, trail runners or dog walkers, may have noticed improvements to a number of the stairway sections along the route. More recently, considerable work has been undertaken at the section known as the “high point”, where erosion of the dunes had begun to threaten the trail.
This section has now been repaired and stabilised, thanks to the generous support of our friends at Rotary. It is a good example of what can be achieved when local organisations and volunteers work together to protect the amenities that make St Francis Bay such a special place to live and visit.
Maintaining the trail is an ongoing job. The aim has always been to make it as accessible as reasonably possible without turning it into a formalised walkway or losing its natural character. The coastline is dynamic, and repairs have to work with that environment rather than against it.
Much of the work is carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers who give their time and energy to keeping the route usable. We are enormously grateful to them and additional helping hands are always welcome.
Learning More About Our African Penguins
At the end of July, Kromme Enviro-Trust hosted two very special educational talks with SANCCOB, giving both younger and older members of our community the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating African Penguin and the challenges facing this critically endangered species.
Our Eco-Kids were first in line, with a talk designed especially for our younger conservationists. They discovered more about African Penguins, their behaviour, where they live and some of the threats they face in the wild.
The session clearly made an impression, the Eco-Kids have now decided to adopt a penguin of their own through SANCCOB! There is just one important matter still to be settled: finding the perfect name for their new adoptee.
The second talk was aimed at adults and took a more detailed look at the African Penguin, its rapidly declining population and the conservation efforts underway to try to secure the species’ future.
It was also an opportunity to learn more about the important work carried out by SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). From rescuing and rehabilitating injured, ill and oiled seabirds to raising abandoned African Penguin chicks and supporting wider conservation and research programmes, SANCCOB plays a vital role in protecting Southern Africa’s seabirds.
With the African Penguin now classified as Critically Endangered, education and awareness have never been more important. These talks were a wonderful reminder that conservation involves all of us and that inspiring an interest in our natural world from a young age is one of the best investments we can make in its future.
A big thank you to SANCCOB for sharing their knowledge and passion with us, and to everyone who attended.
We will, of course, keep you posted on the Eco-Kids’ penguin adoption, and, most importantly, what name they eventually choose!