DATA IN THE K2C

By -
The Environmental Monitor (EM) Programme, funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, has been piloting successfully a Data submission system for community-based Environmental Monitors. The Environmental Monitors are submitting geo-referenced data of their observations, such as alien plant distribution, removal of snares, prevalence of pollution, illegal sand mining and erosion sites via WhatsApp. A full time data collator, Keneilwe Mushi, captures this information on a database in real time, which also enables real time responses.


Keneilwe Mushi captures the EM's data 
This system also tracks engagements with schools and EM ran homework clubs, community members and at meetings.

“This data is very relevant to track EM’s activities and the data is very useful” Frans Lesoka, SANParks BSP Cluster Manager said. “A recent observation of parthinium in the catchment of the Timbavati River enabled us to respond immediately and to start eradicating this dangerous invasive plant.”
Parthinium (Famine Weed)
found in Tintswalo Village

Parthinium produces allelochemicals, which inhibit the growth of surrounding plants and increase its invasive capacity. It also causes human health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis and hay fever, and taints the milk and meat of animals. Parthenium in animal feed causes dermatitis with pronounced skin lesions, and can kill cattle and buffalo if it makes up between 10% and 50% of their diet.
“This action and response is proof of the benefits of the Environmental Monitor Programme,” Ms Marié-Tinka Uys, K2C Biosphere Coordinator, said.

Comments

  1. Anonymous27 March 2018 at 17:23

    This is great work K2C - well done

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kukula Traditional Health Practitioners Association Bio-Cultural Community Protocols Revision Workshop & Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange

By -
Image
Community mapping Natural Justice’s Cath Traynor together with Mina Buthelezi (SANParks BSP/K2C Data Collector & Field Assistant), and Prof. Wayne Twine (Wits University) facilitated a 3-day workshop with the Kukula Traditional Health Practitioners Association to revise their bio-cultural community protocol (BCP). The Kukula’s original BCP was finalized in 2010, and the past 6 years have seen a growth in Kukula membership, a change in their priorities plus the introduction by the South African Government of several new laws and policies which will impact the Kukula. The objectives of the workshop were to (i) finalize the BCP revision process, (ii) focused discussions concerning leveraging the revised BCP, (iii) furthering engagement around medicinal plant issues with protected areas managers, and (iv) peer-to-peer learning exchange with Ndindani Community Nursery in Phalaborwa . During the first session of the workshop the Kukula agreed on a BCP revision process, this wa...
Read more

K2C to start a blogging page

By -
Image
From the 1st Dec 2013, K2C will start a regular blog posting on this page.   Various potential bloggers will be approached by K2C to submit regular blogs on their life in the K2C, their challenges and opportunities.   If you would like to contribute and be a regular blogger on the K2C blog page, please contact info@kruger2canyons.org.   If you would like to be able to follow the regular blogs, please fill in your email address in the email block below "Follow by Email"
Read more

KNP ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORS

By -
Image
By Vulani Mabunda On the 19 th of July 2019 19x EMS from different host institutions, i.e.   Sefapane, Nourish and Letaba Ranch attended an Environmental Education workshop at Letaba Elephant Hall facilitated by KNP’s Kirsty Reedman and her team. Environmental Education (EE) connects us to the world around us, teaching about both natural built environments, EE raises awareness of issues impacting the environment upon which we depend, as well as actions we can take to improve and sustain it. The specific outcome s from the Workshop was to empower participants to be able to: Design and implement an environmental Education Programme Design and implement a children’s environmental education programme Design and implement an environmental education programme for visitors to a conservation area Through this workshop, EM's acquired a lot of knowledge and experience in terms of Environmental Education:  EM's learned how to integ...
Read more