City to Launch Biodiversity Showcase Garden at Green Point Park

On Friday 10 September 2010, the City of Cape Town will officially launch its Biodiversity Showcase Garden (BSG) at the Green Point Park.

The purpose of the BSG is to showcase the great diversity of plants and animals in the Cape and to demonstrate responsible gardening practices. Cape Town's biodiversity is unique and irreplaceable, but it is under threat and we need to act now or it will be lost forever. Managing our urban biodiversity would not be possible without the support of Capetonians.

The vision for this educational garden is to create a place of beauty and wonder which appeals to the senses and imagination. The vision is that people leave the garden with a love for our natural heritage, an understanding of biodiversity and why we need it, and the desire to care for it for future generations.

This special garden will feature:

• Over 300 plant species from the greater Cape Town region.
• Three theme areas: people and biodiversity, explore biodiversity and a wetland.
• Interpretive signage, art works and interactive displays to make the garden come alive.
• Themed displays including: gardening for biodiversity, everything is connected, a Khoikhoi food garden, medicinal plants and a veld types display.

The BSG is one of the City's Green Goal 2010 projects and a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ legacy project. It is also one of five of the City's Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) projects, and it represents a legacy of the city's pioneering work to get LAB established. LAB is a global urban biodiversity programme coordinated by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, in partnership with the IUCN.

The launch of the BSG takes place during the International Year of Biodiversity, and will also form part of the programme for the launch of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Report for Local Policy Makers, which takes place in Cape Town from 8-10 September.

Note: All media are invited to attend.

Date: Friday 10 September

Time: 16:00-17:30

Venue: The White House, Green Point Park, enter at the south gate (opposite Virgin Active Gym)

The BSG is an element within the Green Point Park - the Public Social Space element of the greater Green Point Park - which acts as a tourist and visitor destination point. The Green Point Park will open to the public on 1 November 2010.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town