Published by Briza in South Africa, this book focuses on urban nature conservation in an African context first and foremost.
Populations of cities have grown at an unprecedented rate, consuming ever more land, placing a severe strain on the environment and also on cash-strapped governments. Nature needs to be reintroduced to our cities.
Bring Nature Back to the City is focused on urban nature conservation, aspects that will resonate with advisors to local government, people interested in bringing back nature to our cities and anyone with a keen interest in nature.
Our ecosystems are under threat and green infrastructure needs to be better managed so that there will be less fragmentation and habitat loss. All of us have to live more towards a sustainable urban nature environment. Bring Nature Back to the City guides all of us how to address nature on our doorsteps. There are 214 photos, 6 tables and 25 illustrations on principles of urban nature conservation.
Bring Nature Back to the City informs how to participate and synchronise lifestyles to contribute to sustainable urban nature environments. Urban wetlands, watercourses, riparian zones, buffer zones, ecological corridors and functions are explained. The annexures in Bring Nature Back to the City describe owl boxes, bird feeders, earthworm bins and how to produce organic compost. What is important is that more and more people move to cities and city developments encroach upon nature areas. These encroachments can be managed to accommodate ecologically sensitive urban nature areas. These areas can be utilised in ways that it will benefit the environment people live in.
Ernst Wohlitz completed his National Diploma in nature conservation in 1979 and his B. Agric. in 1982. He joined the Pretoria Municipality in 1983 as a Nature Conservationist in charge of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve. After 12 years on the reserve, he was tasked to conduct Recreation Management for 6 years. After completing middle and senior management courses he was appointed as Manager: Nature Conservation and Resorts for 12 years. He is currently appointed as Director: Parks and Regional Coordination in the Environmental Management Services Department of the City of Tshwane.