The Ferncliffe Catchment Conservancy (FCC) lies in the northern suburbs of Pietermaritzburg and includes the catchments of the Town Bush Stream and the Chase Valley Stream. At present most of the riparian zones, which include wetlands, are severely degraded by the invasion of alien plants. Most of these aliens are undesirable species. As a result the watercourses of this potentially beautiful area are aesthetically unattractive, and provide a poor habitat for fauna such as birds, butterflies and a variety of small mammals, as well as our indigenous vegetation. The committee of the FCC believe that, through public participation, the catchment could be returned to a great extent to its former natural beauty. In addition, and of great importance, this catchment would become an area of remarkable beauty and a desirable residential area.
