More than R400 000 has been raised for conservation projects of the Wildlands Conservation Trust and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in this time. A percentage of this goes to iMfolozi itself and last years sponsorship money was used to support the parks Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Programme (WCAP). This programme aims to bring high-school youth (16-18 years old) from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi’s neighbouring communities into the iMfolozi wilderness areas, taking them on a wilderness trail that not only focuses on the value of nature but on their cultural heritage.
Community integration and participation in conservation and environmental education is vital to the substantiality of our parks. If our youth grow up not knowing their natural and cultural heritage why would they be interested in preserving it? This programme addresses this very issue. The iMfolozi Challenge funding enabled groups of 8 children from Ezigqizweni and Zakhekahle High school (which border onto the wilderness area of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park) the opportunity of going on a Wilderness and Cultural Awareness Trail from iMfolozi’s Mbiya Camp. The camp is built in the traditional Zulu beehive style and is situated about 2km before the last river crossing cyclists pass during the challenge.
The pupils spent 4 days at camp, learning about how wilderness is important to them and how it links with their Zulu culture. They thoroughly enjoyed the walks into the wilderness area and adrenalin was pumping at the thought of an encounter with a black rhino or lions. Much emphasis during these trails is also put on the less noticed elements that they would otherwise have walked past without a second glance such as dung beetles; medicinal herbs; scents and cultural sites. Ezemvelo Community Conservation Officers then assisted them with Environmental Awareness Programmes at their schools commemorating Arbour Day and Weed Buster week. This included environmental quizzes, tree planting, Chomoleana identification, and instruction on how to destroy them and other alien plants.
Find more information on the WCAP on Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s web site www.kznwildlife.com (use the search feature) and for more information on the amazing iMfolozi Challenge visit www.imfolozimtb.co.za.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)