High
Altitude
Team
What we do
Restore
Ecosystems
Degraded by Alien Invasive Species
Not many people make a living by hanging from a rope. It takes courage and specialised skills to do so safely. The High Altitude Project (HAT), within Working on Fire, has in the past 10 years managed to recruit and train an average of 500 rope technicians each year. These young men and women dedicate their time to restoring ecosystems that are degraded by alien invasive plants growing in inaccessible mountain catchments.
Since 2011, more than 80,000 hectares have been cleared, thereby contributing to the protection of the environment in a sustainable way, whilst also restoring the dignity of our HAT participants and their families.
80000
Hectares Cleared Of Alien Invasive Plant Species
The South African government began the Working for Water Programme in 1995, with the aim of removing invasive alien plants, which use much more water than indigenous vegetation. These alien plants outgrow the indigenous plants to the point of wiping them out. The WOF HAT Project was birthed from this Programme in 2011, to focus on this aim.
HAT subsequently moved under the guidance of WOF and has successfully and sustainably contributed to the restoration of our ecosystems through not only their core function but also that of their other projects – the Drought Relief Project, etc.
The Project operates in five (5) provinces and partners with other departments, NGOs and private companies. The Project is also largely known for contributing to employment opportunities in its communities.
Day Zero
Cape Town
Clearing of Extensive Alien Invasive infestations above catchment dams
Drought Relief Programme
When Day Zero loomed for Cape Town in April 2018, the Drought Relief Project (DRP) was established as part of HAT, to clear extensive infestations above catchment dams in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Partially due to the work done by the DRP/NDMC the main dams supplying Cape Town started overflowing again two years later, avoiding a major catastrophe
HAT subsequently moved under the guidance of WOF and has successfully and sustainably contributed to the restoration of our ecosystems through not only their core function but also that of their other projects – the Drought Relief Project, etc.
The Project operates in five (5) provinces and partners with other departments, NGOs and private companies. The Project is also largely known for contributing to employment opportunities in its communities.