The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
and Training Centre
Articles
July 2010
An exciting year so far for Wakkerstroom
The BirdLife South Africa Wakkerstroom Centre kicked off 2010 by celebrating World Wetlands Day with 125 learners and 12 educators arriving, arms filled with posters and minds ready to explore and learn – half of our goal for the day was achieved. School going learners produced bird cutouts that carried environmental messages, particularly focussed on wetlands (GrR-3), a basic biodiversity audit on the BirdLife South Africa property, wetland and grassland included (Gr4-6), posters reflecting the services we receive from wetlands (Gr7-9) and oral presentations on wetland biodiversity and wetlands as a resource (Gr 0-12).
The afternoon brought community members and resource users to the Centre where three presentations were given by André Steenkamp and Kristi Garland covering the following:
• Wetlands as a resource and its sustainable use
• Climate change and sustainable living
• Biodiversity in wetlands
March was also a hive of activity with the Centre hosting the Wings Over Wetlands’ Steering Committee and demonstration projects from Europe and Africa as well as the BirdLife South Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM dinner, held on 20 March 2010, saw BirdLife South Africa members and staff bidding in an auction of wooden carved birds from Indalo Carvings, a community project supported by BirdLife South Africa’s Community-based Conservation Division. Based in the village, self taught carver Muzi uses alien trees found in the district to carve birds endemic to the area. The main aim of Indalo Carving Project is to produce art products out of wood that are unique to Wakkerstroom, and which reflect the cultural heritage and the theme of nature.
The Centre’s plans for the next quarter of 2010 include: participation in the first butterfly census in South Africa and celebrating World Migratory Bird Day which includes a Migratory Masquerade Dinner, a children’s programme and birding competition.
For more information, contact Kristi Garland
Cell: 083 227 0128
E-mail: wakkerstroom-centre@birdlife.org.za
and Training Centre
Articles
July 2010
An exciting year so far for Wakkerstroom
The BirdLife South Africa Wakkerstroom Centre kicked off 2010 by celebrating World Wetlands Day with 125 learners and 12 educators arriving, arms filled with posters and minds ready to explore and learn – half of our goal for the day was achieved. School going learners produced bird cutouts that carried environmental messages, particularly focussed on wetlands (GrR-3), a basic biodiversity audit on the BirdLife South Africa property, wetland and grassland included (Gr4-6), posters reflecting the services we receive from wetlands (Gr7-9) and oral presentations on wetland biodiversity and wetlands as a resource (Gr 0-12).
The afternoon brought community members and resource users to the Centre where three presentations were given by André Steenkamp and Kristi Garland covering the following:
• Wetlands as a resource and its sustainable use
• Climate change and sustainable living
• Biodiversity in wetlands
March was also a hive of activity with the Centre hosting the Wings Over Wetlands’ Steering Committee and demonstration projects from Europe and Africa as well as the BirdLife South Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM dinner, held on 20 March 2010, saw BirdLife South Africa members and staff bidding in an auction of wooden carved birds from Indalo Carvings, a community project supported by BirdLife South Africa’s Community-based Conservation Division. Based in the village, self taught carver Muzi uses alien trees found in the district to carve birds endemic to the area. The main aim of Indalo Carving Project is to produce art products out of wood that are unique to Wakkerstroom, and which reflect the cultural heritage and the theme of nature.
The Centre’s plans for the next quarter of 2010 include: participation in the first butterfly census in South Africa and celebrating World Migratory Bird Day which includes a Migratory Masquerade Dinner, a children’s programme and birding competition.
For more information, contact Kristi Garland
Cell: 083 227 0128
E-mail: wakkerstroom-centre@birdlife.org.za
See Also
Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
Location Info
Special thanks for images
Renier Botha-Special Shot Photography
Warwick Tarboton
Renier Botha-Special Shot Photography
Warwick Tarboton
Eco-tourism = Community + Environment