Cache In Trash Out® is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community. CITO events bring geocachers together to care for the geocaching game board: planet Earth. Since 2002, geocachers around the world have been dedicated to improving parks and other cache-friendly places. The 14th Annual Cache In Trash Out Weeks in 2016 are scheduled for 16 - 24 April and 17 - 25 September.
CITO events are a chance for geocachers to give back to their local spaces and communities. And we have lots of fun while we're at it too!
All geocachers who attend a CITO event during International CITO Week will be awarded a new digital souvenir for display on their geocaching profiles.
Time: 09:00 to 11:00
Date: Saturday, 16 April 2016
Place: Moreleta Kloof Reserve
The purpose of this CITO event is to remove the foreign invasive plants called "pompom weed" in the Moreleta Kloof Reserve. Pompom weed is an invasive weed of grasslands, savanna and wetlands that threatens conservation and agriculture in South Africa. This weed is listed as a category one plant under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No 43 of 1983). Plants from this category are prohibited on any land or water surface in South Africa and must be controlled or eradicated where possible. Infestations become conspicuous when the plants are in flower, usually between November and April, transforming the landscape from green to pink.
Pompom weed is rapidly displacing native species, reducing both the biological diversity and carrying capacity of wetlands and veld. This foreign invader is expanding at such a rate that chemical control will soon become unpractical and unaffordable.
We will gather at the listed coordinates at 9.00 and then disperse to hunt down the evil pompoms. Please wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes, gloves and a hat. It is also advisable to wear insect repellant because there are ticks in the reserve. You should also bring some water, sunscreen, a rain jacket (if wet) and a pair of scissors, secateurs or garden clippers for cutting off the weeds.
Plastic bags will be provided for collection of the plant refuse. The Friends of Moreleta Kloof will also provide weed killer for those who are willing to use it. If you are going to be handling poison, please make sure you bring some rubber gloves too.
We hope that you will join us and that we can once again make a difference at this little gem of nature in the Eastern suburbs of Pretoria. There are 9 fantastic geocaches in the Moreleta Kloof Reserve as a bonus for the cachers who have not yet done them. See you there!