The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's South Campus (previously the University of Port Elizabeth main campus) is very unique in that it is the only university campus in South Africa wholly situated inside a nature reserve. The campus covers 830 ha and was declared a Private Nature Reserve in 1983. The reserve is dominated by the St Francis Dune Thicket and fynbos vegetation. The vegetation is highly threatened due to agricultural clearing and coastal development and the NMMU Nature Reserve, also called the Grysbok Nature Reserve, makes a significant contribution towards its conservation. The Grysbok Trail through the reserve, with 4,8 km and 2,5 km options, was established in 1995 and is designed to act as an environmental education and recreation resource for the University and the broader community. Visitors can also book a guided open vehicle drive through the reserve with Alan Tours, a local tour operator.
Information obtained from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University website.
Information obtained from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University website.
A perfect combination to learn and protect this threatened landscape.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful. I would love to explore there - must be some wonderful flora too.
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