Birdlife & biodiversity
Monthly surveys take flight
Bird surveys were held on the last Friday of each month this quarter. Migrants and waterfowl thrived in the lush wetlands, and March brought a rare, fleeting sighting of a variable sunbird.
Field Notes 2026 · Issue 01
When the
water returned.
A season of renewal at Hillside Dams—told through water, wildlife and the people who keep this landscape thriving.
Read the cover story
888mm recorded
this season
this season
01 From the team
Nature and community,
thriving together.
This platform is our way to connect, inform and inspire the community around us.
Through this newsletter, we share conservation updates, community initiatives and the ongoing work to preserve and enhance our natural environment.
Hillside Dams Conservancy protects a unique ecosystem while providing a peaceful, accessible space for recreation, education and wellness. We believe nature can bring people together, encourage sustainability and support both environmental and mental well-being.
This is more than an update. It is a reflection of our journey, our impact and our commitment to a place where nature and community can thrive together.
— The Hillside Dams Conservancy team
02 Cover story
A landscape
restored.
After years of waiting, a truly sustained rainy season brought back scenes many in Bulawayo had not witnessed for years.
A defining moment came when the Upper Dam reached full capacity and spilled for the first time in more than five years. The once-silent spillway became a powerful symbol of renewal. Soon after, the Lower Dam also filled and overflowed near the restaurant area, completing a transformation felt across Bulawayo.
“The rains did more than fall.
They restored life.”
The season recorded 888 mm of rainfall, including 85 mm in just 24 hours on 18 January. As the dams filled, people came. Families and friends gathered on the lawns, children played freely and visitors shared in the simple joy of witnessing nature restored.
This season will be remembered for its movement, beauty and meaning. Hillside Dams once again became more than a destination—it became a place to reconnect, reflect and celebrate nature at its finest.
03 Conservation in action
Schools & stewardship · 06 March 2026
Building a cleaner future.
HDC partnered with Hillside Primary School for a hands-on clean-up campaign that put environmental ownership in learners’ hands.
Working alongside teachers and students, the Conservancy team supported a clean-up of the school grounds and hosted interactive discussions on waste management, recycling and healthy environments.
The initiative reflects a broader vision: nurturing environmental stewardship from a young age, with more school engagements planned as part of building a cleaner, more sustainable Bulawayo.
Wetland watch
Life returns with the rain
The replenished dams and wetlands created richer feeding and resting habitat—an encouraging reminder of how quickly biodiversity responds when water returns.
04 Community field notes
Care is a
collective effort.
From field support to wildlife rescue and boundary protection, every contribution helps safeguard the Conservancy.
Volunteers
Hands that help the landscape
Our heartfelt thanks go to the NUST Environmental Society, led by Dr Tapfuma, for consistent support in removing invasive species, inspiring innovation and championing the Conservancy’s transformation. Special thanks also go to Trail Blazers Guiding School for ongoing assistance and field support.
Wildlife rescue · 27 February
A nocturnal friend returns home
An owl found near the restaurant car park was taken to Free To Be Wild for care. After rehabilitation, it was successfully released back into the Conservancy—a happy ending all round.
Partnership
DripTech supports boundary protection
We are grateful to DripTech for fencing materials for the Matsheumhlophe boundary. Stronger fencing helps protect biodiversity, prevent encroachment and balance community access with environmental preservation.
05 More from 2026
A year of learning,
culture and connection.
So far, 2026 has brought us family celebrations, environmental learning and meaningful moments shared with our community.
Mega Picnic
A family day of games, laughter and easy connection in the heart of nature.
Africa Day at the Waterfront
Culture, rhythm and heritage brought the community together beside the water.
World Environment Day
We joined the global call to look to nature for practical climate action.
World Drowning Prevention Day
A family-focused day placed water safety, learning and prevention at the centre.
Career Guidance Day
Students explored careers in conservation and environmental science in celebration of World Ranger Day.
A few moments from our journey so far—follow the links to revisit each story.
Your weekend starts here
Come for the thrill.
Stay for the stillness.
Fly over the dam, paddle across it, walk the trails—or simply settle onto the lawns with the people you love.
- Zipline
- Canoeing
- Bumper cars
- VR slide
- Trampolines
- Field paintball
- Target shooting
- Walking trails