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From: Gauteng Conservancy Association [mailto:
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 8:16 PM
To: Gauteng Conservancy Association
Subject: GCA July 2006 - e-newsletter no 11
Ear to the Ground
Gauteng Conservancy Association
July 2006 - e-newsletter no 11
In this e-newsletter:Quad bikes - picking the wrong guy!Sand mine devastation - will the DME act?Blair Atholl, Country Life and editorial credibilityEvents - Country Fair, Walk for WildlifeAwards - the Aardvark, Greening the Future and GDACE's Roll of Honour (and Dishonour) Courses - Organic farming / gardeningNew GCA committee
Quad bikes - Oops! Error!!
Rob Jones of Thorntree Conservancy was beaten up by quad bikers when he remonstrated with
them about riding on public roads. As Sector Police Chairman and the Councilor for the ward their choice of a target was seriously misplaced! The culprits immediately, on realising who they had attacked, decided to apologise and offered to pay for his broken spectacles. Rob Jones, being a community spirited person, accepted their apologies. This was not good enough for the Midvaal Council - the head of the Protection Services went and gave the quad bikers a warning, advising them that if they were found on the roads again their quad bikes would be confiscated and they would face prosecution.
There are registered, supervised, controlled areas where quad and other biker enthusiasts are welcome and encouraged to participate in organised activities.
Sand mine devastation
Beeld recently covered the multitude of illegal mining activities in the conservancies of north-east Gauteng. Peter Hayward of the Bobbejaansberg Conservancy was quoted as saying these activities are having a devastating impact on the environment. "Some mines are operating on wetlands, rehabilitation is not taking place and the our water sources are being polluted."
Officials from the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) recently visited the area and were given a list of the above complaints, including issues such as the impact of the many heavy vehicles on the roads, water, noise and dust pollution, illegal water use and illegal dams in water courses. An official agreed that action should be taken against offenders (how many times have we heard that one?), but when asked how regularly the Department monitors these activities, he took the "I don't have authority to speak to the media" route.
GCA has heard that sand mines and quarries have been given the green light for maximum production, 24/7, to provide material for 2010 construction needs. Keep an eye on their activities.
Country Life - editorial credibility?
Rhenosterspruit Conservancy was tipped off by a reader of Country Life magazine that a paid advertorial on the controversial Blair Atholl golfing estate near Lanseria was given special status as a genuine article, by listing it, with a photo, on the Contents Page. Advertorials should be signaled – as it was by the small “Lifestyle Promotion” banner – but should never be listed as one of a magazine’s own editorial articles. A double page full colour advertorial costs about R44 000.
The advertorial, headlined “A Well-kept Secret” says Blair Atholl is "not just for anybody" and paints a glowing picture of the golfing estate, illustrated with the greenest of green photos. And then it uses the very conservancy that it is sueing for R210 million to market itself, mentioning “the spectacular and uninterrupted views over the Nature Conservancy”!
If readers of Ear to the Ground have noticed similar transgressions in other magazines, please let us know.
Annual Conservancy Fair - 2006
The Annual Country Fair – to date hosted by Thorntree Conservancy – will be held this year at Zomerlust Estate by the Welverdiend Triangle Conservancy on Sunday, 3rd September. Reg & Charmaine Humphrey together with their dedicated team have taken this challenge on with zest. It will be a Faire to remember because the Humphrey’s have a talent for coming up with big and bright ideas. Midvaal Council is also giving its full support and thousands of people are expected. "The much-needed profits will go back into Conservation via the WTC thus benefiting the local community and allowing us to grow our young Conservancy," says Reg. "This will also benefit the GCA directly and any other conservancies that participate on the day through their various stalls and fundraising activities. Cost effective advertising is also available for interested parties and businesses."
Conservancies are welcome to come and blow their own trumpets and sell their wares. They will have free stands in the thatched Tourism Hall. Contact Charmaine on 072 211 3204 to book a table. Visit their website on http://www.solutions4u.co.za/WTC/main.htm for additional info.
‘Walk for Wildlife’ - Buffelsdrift Conservancy
Walk for Wildlife occurs on the last Saturday of every month, through the Buffelsdrift Conservancy. Collectors medals are given to every participant. Distances of the walks: 3 km, 5 km and 10 km. The cost is R20 per person and R25 per person with a guide. Advance booking is needed for a guide. Contact Johan or Heidie Rademan on 082-375-4717/8 or 012-808-0599.
The Aardvark Award
You should meet the Aardvark! It is the cutest creature and it weighs a ton. I made the mistake of trying to pick it up from the floor and put my back out. But it really is a handsome creature and GAUTENG WON IT! It is awarded to the best provincial conservancy association and there was stiff competition, especially from KwaZulu Natal.Some messages from around the province:
o Congratulations guys. Well done from all of us at Klipkop Conservancy.
o Congratulations! Well done - Mary Jean M. Gabriel, Director: Sustainable Resource Management, GDACE
o Congratulations on the latest award. I always eagerly follow what is happening with conservancies across the country. I have just finished re writing my honours work on conservancies and their role in biodiversity conservation in South Africa and also their effectiveness as an off reserve conservation tool. All the best. - Linda Downsborough, Rhodes University.
o Congratulations GCA committee!! - Drift Wetlands Conservancy
o Congratulations! I am definitely going to try and get more involved this year. - Wayne Sinclair, Magalies River Conservancy
o It’s a reflection on the leadership and enthusiasm and its well deserved. Keep going. - Warren Waterston, De Tweedespruit.
o Congratulations. – Dr At Kruger, De Tweedespruit.
Thorntree Conservancy walks off with a Mail and Guardian Award
In June Thorntree Conservancy received the Mail and Guardian "Greening the Future Merit Award" in the category Environmental Best Practice in Not-for-Profit Organisations. The judges said that "care starts on the doorstep and Thorntree is proof of this".
"Congratulations from me and the Melville Koppies Management Committee on your M&G merit award. I didn’t know of all the work that you have been doing with your disadvantaged neighbours. This is a truly impressive move. Well done. You and your volunteers deserve the acclaim and encouragement of the award." Wendy Carstens
Congrats also from all the Gauteng conservancies. Thorntree sets a high standard and is a challenge to all of us.
GDACE Roll of Honour and Dishonour
At the GCA AGM in May a list of names of GDACE officials that had been particularly helpful (and good at their jobs) was read out – the Roll of Honour. A list of actions that deserved to be on the Roll of Dishonour was also read – without the names (although it was a real temptation!). The lists were sent to the MEC, Khabisi Mosunkutu.
His response to Ivan Parkes was: “It was with pleasure and gratitude that I noted the contents of your letter. It is not often that one receives positive feedback. In view thereof, your letter is even more appreciated.
“I have also taken note of the issues which are listed on the Roll of Dishonour and can assure you that steps will be taken to address them.
“May I also express my sincere appreciation for your co-operation and positive contributions toward environmental issues in Gauteng."
Organic farming / gardening course
Calling all early birds – catch the earthworm on a course on organic farming/gardening which will be held in the Rhenosterspruit Nature Conservancy on Saturday 19 August. Hennie Eksteen from Graskop in Mpumalanga will present the course. He is an expert in the field and has created wonders on his farm. As someone said: “When you taste herbs grown on Hennie’s farm, your tastebuds realize they’ve been conned for years!”
Courses are usually held in Graskop, but Hennie has agreed to trek to Gauteng to present the course for us. The cost per person is R500, including teas and lunch. Time: 8:00 until 16:30. Directions will be supplied when you book.
The course covers soil deterioration, micro-organisms and mulch, the use of earthworms, weed management, natural disease and pest control and many other aspects of organic farming and gardening. Grazing and veld management are also covered.
To book, phone Helen on (011) 701-3176 or e-mail . The first 20 people will be accommodated.
Payments can be made to:
Rhenosterspruit Conservancy,
First National Bank, Randburg, Code 254 005
Current Account
Acc no: 620 926 378 79
In Ref put your name/Organics
New GCA committee
Ivan Parkes (chair & Southern Areas), Helen Duigan (vice-chair & Western Areas ), Arthur Barnes (treasurer & Western Areas), Bob Dehning (technical & Central Areas), Michael Barnes (technical), Anne Mearns (Education & East Rand) Cheryl Dehning, Patrick Kwelepeta (Soweto), Ollie Olwage (East Rand) Joan du Toit (Northern Areas) Anthony Duigan (Meeting Secretary), Shawn & Jenny Tyler (East Rand), Reg Humphrey (Southern Areas).
News in the next Ear to the Ground:
·
· How to move a giraffe; Conservancy news: Peglerae, Thorntree; Green Scorpions; Illegal initiation schools; Feedback on new EIA regulations; Birding - Mapping Database, etcetera!
Regards
Helen Duigan
(011) 701-3176