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E-newsletter for December 2020
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Wishing all our Members and Supporters a
Peaceful and Joyful Festive Season
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In this edition:
- The Bigger Picture - South Africa's proposed Climate Justice Charter
- Conservancies KZN - Raffle Winners!
- Conservancies KZN - thank you to the Raffle Sponsors
- Thank you to the Conservancies that supported our raffle!
- eThekwini Conservancies November meeting feedback
- Support our Nature-based Tourism Destinations: Ingwehumbe - Cave of the Leopard
- Membership renewal
- Conservancies in Action
- Upper Mpushini Valley Conservancy - collaborating to protect our biodiversity
- Conservancy of the Umbilo River Valley - stepping up for the environment
- Environmental Notices
- Endangered Wildlife Trust - Community EIA toolkit
- SA petitioned to end canned lion hunting
- IPBES report on the link between biodiversity loss and pandemics
- Follow us on Facebook
- Diary of Events
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The Bigger Picture
Climate Justice Charter
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Photo: Courtesy of Daily Maverick
"A central tenet of all faiths is for all life to be safeguarded, therefore people of faith must heed calls from climate change scientists, act as guardians of our planet’s ecosystems and push for clean, affordable energy and green food production.
'As Africans, we live together on a vast and beautiful continent where the human story began. All of us are linked to the first human who walked upright, dreamed, thought and co-existed with plants, animals, rivers, oceans and forests. Today this common humanity and its future is in serious danger. South Africa cannot ignore this challenge,' the Climate Justice Charter declares in its introduction.
A central tenet of all faiths is for all life to be safeguarded, and for humans to strive for balance and harmony with the natural world. In scientific terms, this means that biodiversity and our ecosystems must be allowed to thrive with minimal interference, and that every effort is needed to avert the climate crisis. "
The above are the opening paragraphs of a recent article in the Daily Maverick which regularly publishes articles of environmental interest under the banner "Our Burning Planet". This article takes a faith-based perspective at a relatively new environmental initiative in South Africa known as the Climate Justice Charter.
Another of the goals of the Climate Justice Charter is to "reconnect with an Earth-centred conception of what it means to be human. Nature is endless, and we are just one small part of it. We have to appreciate that every element of an ecosystem has an intrinsic value and must be respected."
You can access the full article by clicking HERE
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CONSERVANCIES KZN - Raffle Winners!
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CONSERVANCIES KZN - Thank you to the Raffle Sponsors
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Thank-you to the Conservancies that Supported our Raffle
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The Conservancies KZN Executive Committee would like to extend sincere thanks to all the conservancies and sponsors that supported the 2020 Raffle. Given the high quality of the prizes it was disappointing that only 18 out of a possible 82 conservancies participated (22%). Nevertheless we raised a total of R21680. We hope to be able to use some of this to continue with the Small Projects initiative in 2021 and also to fund any incidentals needed to facilitate regional meetings.
The participating conservancies were:
- Beaumont Eston Farmers Association/Conservancy
- Camelot Conservancy
- Curry's Post Conservancy
- Dargle Conservancy
- Hillcrest Conservancy
- Kloof Conservancy
- Kwa-Ximba Conservancy
- Kwambo Conservancy
- Lions Bush Conservancy
- Melmoth Conservancy
- Monteseel Conservancy
- Mpenjati Conservancy
- Umgeni Estuary Conservancy
- Umtamvuna Marine
- Upper Mpushini Valley Conservancy
- Westville Conservancy
- Winterskloof Conservancy
- Yellowwood Conservancy
Camelot Conservancy topped the ticket sales with 285 tickets but every ticket sold was important so sincere thanks to all for the commitment to help make the association stronger.
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eThekwini Conservancies - November meeting - feedback
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The eThekwini Conservancies Forum consists of 35 conservancies and they usually meet three times per year to share successes and discuss common problems. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic it was only possible to meet once this year and the meeting took place on Saturday 21 November. The meeting was hosted by Hillcrest Conservancy and was attended by representatives of 17 conservancies as well as a strong contingent from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The agenda included feedback and discussion from conservancies and their activities as well as interesting presentations by:
- Dr Roy Jones on the work of Ezemvelo KZN in the eThekwini area
- Dr Marlies Craig on how individuals can respond positively to Climate Change
- Luci Coelho on the latest news from the Aller River Pilot Project
Below: Dr Roy Jones from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife addressing the meeting
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SUPPORT OUR NATURE-BASED TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Tourism has taken a severe knock as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and hard-hit venues are gradually opening up. We would like to encourage our members to support those Nature-based destinations linked to the Conservancies movement.
We would like to promote these venues so please do contact us if you wish us to feature them in our e-newsletter
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INGWEHUMBE NATURE RESERVE
An outstanding example of Biodiversity Stewardship at work
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Above: A view across the Sandstone Sourveld topped cliffs above the Gwahumbe Valley
One of Kwazulu-Natal’s most recently proclaimed nature reserves, Ingwehumbe, which lies in the Gwahumbe Valley along the Lovu River between Eston and Umbumbulu has a breath taking sense of space with spectacular views and covers over 1000 hectares of Eastern Valley Bushveld, Eastern Scarp Forest, KZN Hinterland Thornveld and the critically endangered KZN Sandstone Sourveld. Due to its varied topography of grassland, bush, forest, cliffs and steep slopes the reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of them threatened and endemic to the area and it therefore has a high biodiversity value.
The concept of creating the nature reserve originated in 2006 when landowner Malcolm Stainbank, a well-known figure in the Conservancies Association, and Kevin McCann, the first manager of the newly formed KwaZulu-Natal Biodiversity Stewardship Programme (BDS) discussed the idea. The other landowners, Pete Stainbank and the Wingfield Trust shareholders, were enthusiastic. Briefly, Biodiversity Stewardship encourages and assists private and communal land owners with high biodiversity value property to have their land declared as a nature reserve in terms of Section 23 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003). Soon after this the Botanical Society of SA became active in the KZN BDS programme as a partner NGO and because of the botanical importance of the site took on the implementation of having the area proclaimed. An extensive survey was carried out to exclude the agricultural areas of the properties involved (parts of Priscilla Vale and Virginia Farms) to create the present nature reserve boundary. After many very frustrating delays the Ingwehumbe Nature Reserve was finally gazetted on the 15th December 2019 and on the 4th November 2020 we at last held an opening function to celebrate the declaration of the reserve for the many people who had been involved in the process.
Below: Pachycarpus concolor at Ingwehumbe
The name “Ingwehumbe” means the “cave of the leopard” and comes from the local Zulu knowledge of a cave on the site where leopards lived (and there is much evidence that they still do!). An old Zulu man who visited the site some years ago told this story to a local resident: “there was a cave where leopards lived here and as herd boys we were warned to avoid the area”
The biodiversity of Ingwehumbe Nature Reserve is notable with a list of over 600 plant species recorded since the late 1800s when botanists from the Durban Herbarium would undertake “a hard day’s ride “ to get to the valley and collect many plant specimens to send to the Kew Herbarium in London. This list increases continually and only a few weeks ago during the annual Spring Flower Walk hosted by Malcolm a previously unrecorded Endangered plant species (Senecio exuberans) was added. The reserve also has an impressive bird list with over 280 species and still counting… There are also many mammals including, of course the leopard, with footprints seen intermittently and the Endangered Oribi. The site has Oribi custodian status and we hope to investigate supplementing the current small population with introductions facilitated by the Oribi Working Group.
Nestled in the valley alongside the river is the rustic Wingfield camp - a perfect getaway in the bush only a short drive away from Durban and Pietermaritzburg
There are many advantages in joining the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme: helping to conserve our fantastic biodiversity, contributing to the National Protected Areas Expansion, receiving ecological assistance from EKZNW and NGOs, and a number of financial tax and municipal rates advantages.
Below: The river below Wingfield camp |
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Conservancies KZN - Please renew your Membership
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The Conservancies KZN financial year runs from 1 March to end February and membership fees for 2020/2021 are now due.
Paid up membership as at the end of February 2020 stood at 82 members.
Membership renewal notices (R500pa) have been sent out to all conservancies but the e-mail addresses are in a constant state of flux so if you have not received your renewal notice then please do contact us at ad...@conservancieskzn.org.za or alternatively pay your fees into the account as per below clearly indicating your details in the "beneficiary" field so that we can trace your payment.
As at 30 November we had 78 paid-up conservancies (paid for the current 2020/2021 financial year) out of a total of 87 registered and active conservancies.
Given the rather slim budget the association works on we urge all members to pay their fees as soon as possible.
A big thank you to all those conservancies that have paid!
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Hillcrest
Branch Code: 223726
Account Number: 62035191311
Account Name: KZN Conservancies Association
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Conservancies in Action
In this section we feature news from our members and highlight the great work done by conservancies across KwaZulu Natal
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Upper Mpushini Valley Conservancy - collaborating to protect our biodiversity
Above: The upgraded and repaired Gladys Manzi entrance to the Bisley Nature Reserve
The Upper Mpushini Valley Conservancy (UMC) is a semi-rural area located on the southern edge of Pietermaritzburg and the greater area includes Bisley Nature Reserve which is officially under the control of the Msunduzi Municipality.
In late 2019 a devastating fire flashed through the reserve adding to the already severe crises caused by an extended drought and general neglect. The dire situation prompted a co-ordinated response and the Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve (FOBNR) and local communities have rallied to form a Community Steering Committee under the Upper Mpushini Conservancy (UMC) to work tirelessly together to save the reserve.
During lockdown, individuals “exercised” in the reserve to secure and protect the reserve and subsequently patrol groups were formed. Game counts have been arranged and escaped animals herded back into the reserve where possible. When lockdown was relaxed, supported by donations from many communities, and with the permission from the Msunduzi Parks and Human Settlements, the FOBNR action group, went all out to remove poachers living in the reserve and their snares, and to respond to fires and dog hunting.
In consultation and approval from Msunduzi Buildings and Construction Division, new fencing at the two entrances was erected, downed fences reattached and bridge construction was undertaken. Alien weed encroachment around overgrown bird hides was removed, rusted refuse bins in picnic areas replaced and rubbish cleared. Clearing and re-establishment of paths is currently in progress and rivers have been unblocked to stop the bird hides rotting. An excellent collaboration and working relationship has been established with both UKZN, Msunduzi authorities and other conservation groups.
UMC and the supporting FOBNR working groups have promoted proclamation of the two 250 ha reserves, Bisley and Ferncliffe Nature Reserves. These reserves represent the two critical biodiversity nodes, protecting endangered and unique species on two sides of Pietermaritzburg.
The Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve, including members of Bird Life South Africa, will officially join the UMC at the forthcoming AGM, formally establishing a management subcommittee under the UMCs Voluntary Association constitution and NPO. This will form one fully constituted conservation body, standing behind the proclamation and protection of the Bisley Nature Reserve and its biodiversity.
Below: Volunteers at work!
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Conservancy of the Umbilo River Valley - stepping up for the environment
Above: CURV's homebase - the lawn provides an open gathering area with access to an indigenous forest.
The Conservancy of the Umbilo River Valley, better known as CURV was established in 2005 and covers the Durban suburbs of Malvern-Escombe-Northdene-Mosley Park. In 2006, CURV entered into an agreement with eThekwini Municipality to rehabilitate the old Scout Hall Grounds in Dan Pienaar Drive, Northdene. In addition to the old derelict Scout Hall the grounds include a large indigenous forest which extends beyond the area maintained by CURV all the way down to the Umbilo River. When CURV took over the grounds they had been abandoned for a few years and had become completely infested with alien invasive plant species. As the present custodians for these grounds, it is CURV’s responsibility to restore these grounds back to their original, natural state. Ensuring the grounds are free from alien invasive species is an ongoing project – CURV members & volunteers attend monthly work party “hack-attacks” to eradicate these alien plants.
Below: Chairman Stewart Cross and Robyn Scott at work
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Environmental Notices
In this section we include notices published by other organisations which may be of interest to our members
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Endangered Wildlife Trust - Community EIA toolkit
"We have created brochures, or community toolkits, informing rural communities of their environmental rights and providing them with details of who they can turn to should these rights be infringed upon. Initially, we focussed on communities in regions we deemed most at risk of future developments and whom we have worked with previously; however, we are eager to make these resources as widely available as possible. Currently we have five iterations of the toolkit (N. Cape – Afrikaans; KwaZulu-Natal – Zulu; Limpopo – Venda; Free State – Northern Sotho and a generic English version) which contain the same general content but with some unique local details and, of course, in different languages and there may be scope in the future to extend this (e.g. Xhosa versions for communities in the Eastern Cape). We would like to make these toolkits freely available to you and they can be downloaded, along with a Q&A-styled document guiding community engagement, from our website (click here)."
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SA petitioned to end canned lion hunting
The South African canned lion hunting industry has a long history of damaging South Africa's conservation reputation.
To mark World Animal Day on 4 October, Born Free submitted a petition, containing close to a quarter of a million signatures, to South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and other members of his government.
According to Born Free: "Killing captive-bred lions for ‘fun’ is only part of the story. Since 2008, South Africa has exported more than 6,000 lion skeletons weighing at least 70 tonnes principally to Lao PDR and Vietnam, the overwhelming majority from captive breeding facilities. The lion bone industry has close connections to international wildlife trafficking, putting wild lions and other big cat species at increased risk from poachers seeking to launder illegal bones and other body parts into the legal trade, a concern echoed in the most recent wildlife crime report from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime."
For more information visit: www.bornfree.org.uk |
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IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) recently published a report on the link between biodiversity loss and pandemics. This issue is getting increased attention particuarly in the light of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You can access the Executive Summary by clicking HERE or on the image above. |
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Like our Facebook page to keep up to date with Conservancies KZN
This e-newsletter will be issued monthly during the first week of each month. Due to length limitations we will only feature key information and activities which will generally be looking at completed activites.
For more up-to-date information on conservancy activities we would like to encourage our members to like and follow our Facebook page which will be updated more frequently with snippets of information from across KZN.
We would also like to encourage conservancies to send us information on thier activities with photographs and we will post these on Facebook and also use them in the E-newsletter when space is available.
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Please let us know of any activities (walks, events, fundraisers etc.) your conservancy is planning so that we can promote them in the e-newsletter
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Karkloof Conservation Centre - R50pp for prime time viewing 3.30pm-6pm and R30pp during the day 5am-3.30pm. Picnic facilities available.
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First Thursday
of
every month
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Kilgobbin Forest & Grassland Walk - 09:00 t0 12:00 Enjoy a 5km wander through mis-belt forest and across grassland, with some steep sections. Donation R50 to Dargle Conservancy. Book: Nikki 083 473 3074
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Mpenjati Conservancy
Community Market - 10am - 2pm.
Mountbatten Square, Trafalgar, South Coast, KZN.
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Sani Pass Wildflower Walk with Elsa Pooley - Cost R500pp includes transport to the top of the pass - advance bookings only - bookings: in...@sanilodge.co.za |
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Copyright © 2020, CONSERVANCIES KZN, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Conservancies KZN
22 Hilton Ave, Hilton
Kwazulu Natal, 3245
South Africa
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