VWGA employees and their loved-ones lend a hand to support the conservation of the Baakens Valley Nature Reserve

• VWGA employees and their loved-ones take part in the restoration and protection of Baakens Valley Nature Reserve
• Show of Hands initiative strengthens environmental stewardship and family engagement

Gqeberha – Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) employees and their loved-ones came together on Saturday, 29 November, at the Baakens Valley Nature Reserve, to lend a helping hand in restoring and protecting this important ecological space.

Baakens Valley Nature Reserve stretches along approximately 23 km of the Baakens River and covers roughly 500 hectares. It represents a rare convergence of five distinct biomes, making it a vital refuge for a rich array of indigenous fauna and flora. 

A total of 150 employees and their loved-ones worked collectively, removing alien invasive plant species that threaten the local ecosystem, applying herbicide where necessary, stacking cleared trees, painting murals, and repainting storage units.

As part of the Show of Hands volunteer programme, which takes place twice a year, one initiative focuses on community upliftment and the other on environmental conservation.

“As a company, we believe in preserving green spaces for future generations,” said Martina Biene, VWGA Chairperson and Managing Director. “The Baakens Valley Nature Reserve is the environmental green lung for Gqeberha, supporting biodiversity, improving air quality, and providing a vital natural buffer within an urban landscape. We are proud that our employees and their families could come together to make a real, tangible difference in restoring its ecological integrity.”