CUSTODIANSHIP

By -
The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region (K2C) partnering with AWARD have recently embarked on a project that will make a big difference to the Blyde catchment and downstream communities. 
The project comprises of 1 Intermediate team of 8 passionate individuals, the team is different from the other Working for Ecosystem teams because of the High elevation areas they are working in. They are based at the magnificent Mountains of Mariepskop and are dedicated to make a difference to the environment by rehabilitating the forest back to its natural state. The project supports current efforts on invasive alien plant (IAP) control and Ecosystem restoration in the larger Blyde area, as well as capacity development of local landowner and community members in terms of awareness and trainings.
The vision of this project is to create “A healthy upper Blyde, Sand and Klaserie Catchment, in which degraded areas have been restored and are maintained thus sustaining biodiversity and the critical ecosystem services that support the livelihoods and wellbeing of local and downstream residents in the long term”. 
The team is busy with clearing the pines and eucalyptus on the upper mountains where there are wetlands that were prioritized as they hold and recharge water to the Klaserie River which in turn runs to the downstream communities. These communities depend on the river for recreational purposes such as swimming to cool off the heat.
The main project partners include Department Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the four Communal Property Associations (CPAs) that have claimed the reserve namely Sethlare, Maorabjang, Moletele and Mahubahuba, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Natural Resource Management and the South African Environmental Observation Unit (SAEON).
We would like to acknowledge USAID for making this possible with the funding that helped see the project’s inception.  



Comments

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