Environment

AN INITIATIVE

Worth Fighting For

CCJ takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously. There are ongoing initiatives for water conservation, energy saving and waste recycling to reduce the club’s environmental footprint. There are safeguards in place to minimise our potential of polluting the natural environment. We monitor the latest environmental legislation and ensure the Club is legally compliant.

However, one of our key objectives is to enhance biodiversity through the protection of indigenous flora and fauna on Club property. The outcome is environmental havens at both Auckland Park and Woodmead which can be enjoyed by members and their families for generations to come.

Environment
Environment
Environment

The CCJ Bird List

The Club has an extensive bird list already which excites every outdoorsman or woman! Our Environment Committee is appealing to all members to please help us compile a comprehensive list of bird sightings at CCJ during the course of the year. This list has already been established on a BirdLasser platform and sightings are currently being logged.

This is an easy and fun way to become more involved in CCJ birding whether you are a novice or a serious ‘twitcher’. For more information select the buttons below.

Woodmead Estate

The Woodmead property is home to our two superb golf courses and a vast array of wildlife. The natural resources have been blended to create a harmonious balance between nature and the urban development surrounding the estate.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Johannesburg City, The Country Club Johannesburg provides and maintains a natural paradise within its walls. The Woodmead Estate is host to a large variety of both plant and animal species. The Club takes pride in its environmental awareness and the outcome is an environmental haven in which members to enjoy every part of its natural beauty.

Auckland Park Gardens

You may have heard of the majestic gardens at Auckland Park. You may even have stood on the club’s patio and admired them from afar. But to truly appreciate them, you need to take a walk. You may have heard of the majestic gardens at Auckland Park. You may even have stood on the club’s patio and admired them from afar. But to truly appreciate them, you need to take a walk.

CCJ Environment Events & Information

The Club offers a number of different environment-themed events throughout the year. These include the Kid's in Nature Programme, Bird Walks, Geology Walks and more. 

In addition, members are spoilt for choice with the wide range of educational pamphlets available at the Woodmead Reception. 


Upcoming Enviro Events
  • Bird walks at CCJ Woodmead
    • The next bird walk is scheduled for Sunday 24 November 2024. Bookings will open 4 weeks prior. Please note no bookings will be accepted in advance of this date.

Preserving our biodiversity

Our flora and fauna are carefully managed to ensure a sustainable environment. We have over 300 flowering plant species, at least 11 species of mammal, a bird list of over 210 birds, 50 grass species, 75 indigenous tree species and countless insects and butterflies. Our dams are filled with carp, bass, tilapia, barbel and koi. The dams are also home to frogs, terrapins and crabs.

We are indeed privileged to be members of a club that offers so much.

Eradication of invasives

This is an ongoing process. The gums, Black Wattle and weeds such as Pompom, are managed as much as possible. Obviously on an estate as large as ours, it's a mammoth task. However, we are systematically winning the battle.

Environment

Environment

Tree planting program

During the past 10 years, the Club has planted over 3000 indigenous trees and contributions from members in this regard have been immense. This year the aim is to plant a further 400 trees.

Environment

Environment

Preserving the grasslands

Here at Country Club Johannesburg, Woodmead, we have the Egoli Granite Grassland, a type of grassland restricted to the Gauteng Provence. Endemic to Gauteng. Only 26h approximately have to date been documented. The grasslands are visually dominated by numerous species of grass but in terms of species composition and growth forms they are very diverse, with only one in every 6 species being a grass. The high diversity of other plant types includes bulbs and soft-leaved herbaceous plants (forbs), ferns, underground trees. The non-grass component of plant diversity has high conservation value and significance and although not often considered, grasslands also support great diversity from all the major animal groups, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Environment

Environment

Animal welfare

The Club uses the wonderful Friends of Free Wildlife to care for any injured animals found on the estate. The heartwarming stories of Kate, the Long-crested eagle and Billy the tortoise are cases in point. Both injured and nurtured back to health and released back to the Woodmead estate.

Environment

Environment

Beautification of the golf courses

Over the past few years we've introduced rockeries to the golf courses. These colourful and diverse range of indigenous plants are, of course not only pleasing to the eye but are water wise.

Environment

Environment

Environment

Estate Management

Our extensive grounds require constant attention in the following aspects:

Responsible use of pesticides and herbicides

Our horticultural experts have extensive knowledge of turf management practices and use the latest advances in fertilisers, fungicides & pesticides ensuring good agronomic practices.

A focus and drive towards developing environmentally sustainable landscapes

We have undertaken significant research into enhancing the environmental footprint of CCJ through initiatives such as the development of organic dump sites, water harvesting and reduction techniques and environmentally friendly planting plans.

Understanding the value of our dams

The golf courses require good water resources. It’s therefore essential we maintain our numerous storage dams at Woodmead. We are fortunate that these dams are filled by a combination of rainfall, natural watercourses and run-off water from the higher lying Woodmead area and the N1 highway.

Nursery

The Club maintains a nursery that has over 300 indigenous trees, many of which were grown from seed, but also others that have been donated by members. These trees are used to replace dead trees, non-indigenous species and for the further beautification of certain areas of the estate. At the nursery there are also over 2000 succulents that have been grown from cuttings. These are used in our rockeries.

Fish hatchery

We breed Tilapia for the dams. Last year 400 fish were introduced to several of our dams. The breeding ponds are on the Woodmead estate.

Energy, Water and Waste Management

The Environment Strategy

Our environmental objectives

  • Informed decision-making to improve our environmental practices.
  • Achieving legal compliance with environmental legislation aligned to international standards
  • Enhancing biodiversity through the protection of indigenous fauna and flora and the removal of invader species.
  • Minimising the potential of pollution through the responsible use of pesticides and herbicides.
  • Reducing water use, electricity consumption and waste through the introduction of programmes which are monitored and measured.
  • Providing for the members use and enjoyment of the natural habitat around the golf courses.

The Field Guide

A comprehensive 60 page booklet on the Greater Woodmead Estate coverings aspects such as:

  • The geology and topography of the region
  • Birds of the Greater Woodmead Estate
  • Flowers, grasses and trees of the Greater Woodmead Estate
  • Our mammals
  • Water resources and our dams
  • Information sites in Wilds East and Wilds West
  • Map of the Enviro and bird walk

Available at reception desk. R60 per copy