RARE blue duikers, puff-adders, and monkeys – not to mention rich and diverse birdlife – are just some of the residents sharing campus space with students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The harmonious integration between nature and the built environment – unique among South African universities – is largely a result of 26 years of meticulous landscape planning and implementation by head of horticultural services John Elliott, 57, who is retiring this year.

“We are the only campus in a nature reserve in South Africa – this is close to unique in the world,” said Elliott, who aimed to create an environment where people could interact with fauna and flora.

At NMMU’s south campus (formerly the University of Port Elizabeth), the aim has been for every plant planted to be indigenous, with about 95% grown in the university’s production nursery. As the plants flourished, wild animals – including endangered species like the rare blue duiker – started moving into the built environment. This was “very special,” said Elliott.

“I wish other landscapers would understand how well this works. Some developers, builders, architects and engineers have scant regard for the natural environment.”

Over and above the importance of its conservation status, Elliott said the environment gave students “a unique perspective on living in nature”. His predecessor, Christian Wolf, hit upon the indigenous theme long before it was fashionable – or viewed as an environmental priority – setting up “a fantastic springboard”, on which Elliott and his team could build.

Elliott oversaw the introduction of the campus nature reserve, after it was registered through the efforts of Springbok rugby legend Hannes Marais (a former student at the university). In association with Dennis Tucker of Pine Lodge Resort, Elliott also initiated the Cape Recife Conservancy, and is now busy establishing a medicinal garden for plants used by traditional healers at the Missionvale campus (formerly Vista University).

The garden – which Elliott is developing in association with academics who are testing the healing properties of these plants – will be multi-functional. Besides its role in academic research, it will be a resource for traditional healers in the community, and will serve an educational purpose for schools visiting that campus.

Elliott was also responsible for overseeing the government-initiated project Work for Water on campus to remove alien species, thereby protecting the endangered local fynbos.

“Since Wolf’s days, the university’s horticultural services department has been at the forefront of using indigenous plant species that other growers and landscapers have not used.”

Off campus, Elliott is particularly passionate about protecting established indigenous trees. “In some cities, like Berlin, there are by-laws preventing the chopping down of indigenous and exotic trees that form part of the character of a city (like Port Elizabeth’s majestic fig trees – now water-deprived – at built environment Fig Tree Park). I wish our city would take a step in that direction.”

Elliott, who has opted for early retirement to run a landscaping business with his son Matthew, has worked outdoors for as long as he can remember.

“After coming out of the army, I worked for my dad for eight days (in the steel and diesel industry). But the surf was just too good one day, so I resigned.”

To maintain the outdoor lifestyle he loved, he trained as a horticulturalist at Durban Technikon, then completed a Parks and Recreation Administration course. Before NMMU, he worked for Port Elizabeth’s parks department for 11 years, where he was responsible for St George’s Park, Central and the western suburbs.

Elliott, who has surfed competitively since the 1970s and recently came third in the SA Masters championships, is married to Jane, a teacher. They have three children.

Elliott’s deputy, Elana Storm, will replace him as NMMU’s head of horticultural services.