Month: April 2012

The 27^th of October 2011 proved to be a life-changing day for Lesley Joemat, Wildlands Conservation Trust Initiative Manager, based at Spier in the Western Cape. This was the day that she, together with Charmaine Veldman – Programme Manager at Wildlands, received a cheque from Col’Cacchio pizzeria in order to purchase a new project vehicle for the Wildlands’ Trees-for-Life Project. The cheque handover represented the final leg of a fundraising activity driven by Col’Cacchio pizzeria’s 2011 Celebrity Chef Series, with the Wildlands Conservation Trust as the nominated beneficiary. The vehicle has proved to be a lifeline.

The Trust’s Winelands Initiative was catalyzed by Spier and PSG Consult in 2011, who wanted to expand the ‘Trees-for-Life’ project into the Western Cape. The initiative sees just over a 100 vulnerable community members growing indigenous trees to trade for vouchers for their local Shoprite store. During 2011, 42 tree-preneurs bartered 2432 trees worth R9710; a small beginning, but the start of the eventual transformation of a destitute Cape Flat’s community.   Wildlands supports more than 4000 individuals and their families across the country this way.

The Winelands first project vehicle, a bakkie, was 20 years old and started giving problems at the beginning of April 2011 – this proved to be a huge hindrance to the community Project. The vehicle started breaking down almost daily with mechanical and general wear and tear issues. This would mean Lesley and her team, sometimes even potential sponsors and current donors, would end up stranded in inconvenient and unsafe places, and ultimately without transport for weeks at a time while the vehicle was being repaired.

On the 27^th of October when Lesley was informed that the funds from Col’Cacchio pizzeria were being used to purchase a new vehicle for her project, her prayers had been answered. “When I was handed the keys to the Hyundai 100, it felt like I had just received a new lease on life,” exclaimed Lesley, “due to the nature of this project, and the rural communities we work in, we need a reliable vehicle that is capable of carrying large loads. Before the Col’Cacchio pizzeria Hyundai Vehicle we were having to make two trips per area visit, but now due to the bulk carrying ability of the vehicle this has been cut down to one trip per area. Obviously all my frustrations are gone as the vehicle is reliable and ensures our project continues to be successful. Thank you Col’Cacchio – with the vehicle you have sponsored we are able to keep making a difference in people’s lives.”

The vehicle has to transport tree saplings, bags of compost, bicycles, planks, poles and hardware plastics, to name a few – hence why its ability to handle a heavy load is key. This also means the Wildlands Trees-for-Life Project is more efficient, effective and sustainable.

“We are delighted with how much money was raised in 2011 to help the Wildlands Trust continue creating greener, sustainable communities”, commented Michael Terespolsky, Managing Director of Col’Cacchio pizzeria.  “Wildlands Conservation Trust does such amazing work countrywide and we’re proud to support such a worthy cause. We extend our sincere thanks to the most important people involved in this the 2011 CCS (Celebrity Chef Series) – the Chefs, Customers and Sponsors.”

The Eskom ‘Ingula Pumped Storage Project’ is setting an example of how landowners can make use of the Biodiversity Stewardship process as a cost effective conservation mechanism. Through this project a protected biodiversity area and production are being expanded simultaneously – without either being compromised.

A pumped storage scheme works by allowing water to flow from a dam on the top of an escarpment to a dam at the bottom, through tunnels which contain electricity generating turbines. The scheme, initiated by Eskom to supplement the national grid with extra power, is located 23km north-east of Van Reenen’s Pass. The work on the facility began in November 2007 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2012, and fully operational by 2013.

The “go ahead” from the environmental impact assessors for the Ingula Project, came as a surprise considering the innovative conditions that were attached to it. In response to the importance of the area from a biodiversity perspective, the agreement included a requirement that the land obtained for the project be secured as a nature reserve on completion of the scheme.  The area is home to two key river catchments (flowing into the Tugela and Orange River’s) and is characterised by a mosaic of richly bio-diverse grassland and wetland habitats, interspersed with patches of indigenous forest.

The unique nature of the Ingula Project is that the land owned by Eskom straddles two provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Eskom has therefore entrusted the Wildlands Conservation Trust to assist them in engaging with the different provincial structures, and managing the overall process of securing the 9000ha under Eskom’s management. This is the start of a strategic partnership that will involve the first attempt at securing a new protected area across provincial boundaries.

This innovative approach to a project will also change the general perception of what constitutes a nature reserve. We are moving into times where much of our land has been impacted in some way, or is being used for production purposes (in this case electricity), and yet still holds key biodiversity. Securing this biodiversity is critical for securing our natural capital, but yet not impacting on the production nature of the activities linked to it. This project is therefore unique and innovative in its approach, and will reshape the way we secure our “green infrastructure” and “natural capital” into the future.

After 15 458 km on the saddle, 176 days and 19 countries, an adventure and journey of a lifetime came to an end on Saturday 31 March, as James Lea-Cox and Mark Yetman rolled into the Cape Point car park to a huge welcome by friends, family and loved ones.

6 months ago in London they set off on their bicycles from Trafalgar square with a small crowd of well-wishers flying the South African flag. This was the start of a journey that would take them through 19 countries, specifically and in order England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Ruanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and finally their home country of South Africa.

James and Mark also decided to use this opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a good cause. “We chose the Wildlands Conservation Trust because of all the fantastic work they have been doing in so many areas of conservation, specifically around fighting rhino poaching”, commented Mark. “After travelling through Africa for 6 months we have seen first-hand the dilemma of balancing Africa’s need for economic and social development, as well as the need to preserve our ecosystems and the environment which we ultimately all depend on, but which are under such threat on this continent. We hope that the awareness we have raised on the issue, as well as the financial support for Wildlands will go towards helping them achieve their goals.”

When asked to summarise highlights from their ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip, Mark and James responded, “This has indeed been a life-changing experience, in more ways than we could have imagined and too many experiences to put down in a short summary, so we ask anyone interested in what we have done to please visit our website (www.bigride-africa.com) for more information.”

“We want to congratulate Mark and James – we are so proud of you for completing this amazing journey – it could not have been easy – it was a BIG ride indeed! Thank you for choosing us as your charitable beneficiary – the funds you have raised will be invested into ultimately creating a sustainable future for us all,” stated Lauren Laing – Communications Manager at Wildlands.

During the second week in March 2012 the “Green Bobbies”, trained by Sipho Mhlalanyawo of the Everton Conservancy, started clearing Willow Lane of invasive alien plants.  The Green Bobby team members have learnt the techniques involved in clearing and are gaining expertise in identifying invasive alien plants. The team also record all the invasives (species and numbers) that they treat and remove, so this process can be formally reported on and progress can be measured.

Green Bobbies have also recently been ‘adopted’ by the Wildlands Conservation Trust to contribute to their already impressive initiatives around job creation. Team members will also get to broaden their skill base, as within every team there is an opportunity to become the next team supervisor.  There is a vision to have 11 Green Bobbies by the end of June, all working in the Winterskloof valley  to get rid of the invasive alien plants that are choking our forests, grasslands, wetlands and streams.

“It was fantastic to see how the community came together on this project. Willow Lane residents encouraged us to use their verges as the first stepping stones of the alien plant clearing and also provided us with storage facilities.  Conservancy members helped with expert advice and sponsorship of equipment, along with the donation of herbicides, protective clothing & equipment from the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working for Water initiative. We are humbled by the support of everyone, including Wildlands,” said Judy Bell Chairperson of the Winterskloof Conservancy. “Going forward we are looking forward to achieving more with the ongoing support of the Winterskloof community and other organisations.”

Please contact the Winterskloof Conservancy by e-mailing judybell@mweb.co.za  if you would like to help in any way.

As of March 2012 135 rhino have been poached in South Africa. This is a frightening number considering we are only 3 months into the year. The increase in poaching incidents is being driven by the dramatic increase in demand for ground rhino horn in the East. The price of Rhino horn is estimated at R540 000/kg, which means it’s currently worth more than gold.

No single organisation has the resources or manpower to fully address the issues involved in reducing rhino poaching. These poaching syndicates are highly sophisticated operations, involving highly resourced individuals and sadly even vets.

In response to this serious challenge, Wildlands Conservation Trust and 12 other conservation organizations launched Project Rhino KZN (www.projectrhinokzn.org) on the 22^nd of September 2011, World Rhino Day, to support the development and co-ordination of rhino conservation interventions, aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and securing rhino populations in KZN. These organisations have collectively identified the priority projects to fund, both within state-owned, private and communal protected areas. Their focus is on increasing intelligence, surveillance, field ranger competence, advocacy, communication sharing, public awareness and education.

The Wildlands Conservation Trust is focusing its efforts on the development of effective surveillance systems, with initial emphasis on GSM based tracking and monitoring systems, as well as aerial support.

Project Rhino Tracker makes use of GSM based systems, which will ensure key rhino populations are monitored remotely and will allow for a far more rapid anti-poaching unit response. Project Rhino Aerial Support is a new initiative that Wildlands has launched with a view to eventually support effective helicopter and light aircraft for rhino conservation efforts. The helicopter acts as an “eye in the sky” for field rangers as it can access remote dirt roads, monitor the reserve boundaries and observe known suspects homes for any signs of suspicious activity. There is little doubt that the positioning of additional aircraft and helicopters across northern KZN would have a significant impact on rhino poaching, especially in the private communal areas that do not enjoy the same level of paramilitary support that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s conservation areas do.

To this end, Project Rhino KZN has formed a benchmark partnership through which a Cheetah Light Aircraft has been secured which will be based in the Mkhuze area. WWF secured the funds to cover the purchase costs of the new aircraft, African Conservation Trust (ACT) have undertaken to cover the associated insurance costs and to manage the use and maintenance of the aircraft, and Wildlands have undertaken to raise the funds required to employ a fulltime pilot / operations co-ordinator. The other Project Rhino partners will share responsibility for raising the funds required to run and maintain the aircraft. This is an amazing collective response by the Project Rhino KZN partners.

“We believe that these projects will help curb the poaching crisis in our country. Collectively all the organisations involved in Project Rhino KZN are doing everything they can with the resources they have to try win this fight against these criminal syndicates. A video that recently went viral of Dr William Fowlds holding his deceased, poached rhino Themba, in the Eastern Cape – is a true reflection of the pain all conservationists feel with regards to the consistent loss of these amazing creatures,” comments Kevin McCann, Strategic Manager at Wildlands Conservation Trust. “We are however positive that our Projects and those of our collaborative partners will be successful in curbing the killings.”