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Some Of The Events And Activities Happening
In The Name Of World Wetlands Day 2008 In The Western Cape
WESTERN CAPE WETLANDS FORUM
This year our aim is to get the wetlands message to as wide an
audience as possible for world wetlands day. We are targeting 3
main groups: decision makers (in business and gov), the general
public and learners. With the help of many stakeholders, particularly
WESSA, the City of Cape Town and Simonsvlei Wines, the Forum is
doing the following:
Advert to address the general public to raise awareness
The Forum is placing an advert in the Weekend Argus and Die Burger.
Both newspapers will carry editorial on wetlands, how important
they are to the environment and people and the threats they face.
Message to decision makers
A "Happy Wetlands Day" e-card
is being sent to decision makers in government, local municipalities
and business. The message encourages thought about the decisions
made in the course of business, development and planning.
Material for learners
1000 of the Ramsar posters with a mini poster produced by the
Forum are being put up in schools, community notice boards and
at Universities.
Blog
The Forum has created its own blog: www.wetlandsforum.blogspot.com
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FRIENDS OF THE LIESBEEK
In celebration of World Wetlands Day the Friends of the Liesbeek
invite you to join them on a walk and talk around the wetlands
of the lower Liesbeek. On Friday 1 February meet at 6pm on the
Durban Road Bridge , Mowbray. Wear comfortable shoes and bring
a jersey. Dogs with poop scoops welcome. No charge. Queries: contact
Liz or Dave on 021-671-4553.
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RONDEVLEI NATURE RESERVE
The programme below will take place at Rondevlei Nature
Reserve, Fisherman's Walk Road , Zeekoevlei. Dates: 4 and 8 Feb 08
The
target group for World Wetlands day is Grade 4-7. Learners can bring
a snack and a drink with for a short break after the walk.
The itinerary
for the visit: Introduction to Rondevlei
- A walk along the pathway
using bird identification charts to identify birds at the bird
hides
- Identification of animal spoor along the pathway
- Short interval
- Discussions about the animals and plants associated
with the wetland, specifically at Rondevlei.
- Discussion about
the importance of Wetlands in nature
- Discussion about it's
importance to humans.
- Threats to Wetlands and how to help.
- Walk through the museum.
Bookings are essential.
Contact: Bronwen Foster: Tel.: 021 706
2404,
Email: Bronwen.Foster@capetown.gov.za
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ZANDVLEI TRUST
Zandvlei Trust members will be assisting the Greater Zandvlei
Estuary Nature Reserve staff from 28/01/2008 to 08/02/2008 on the
week days, when the Metrorail Edutrain will be bringing between
80 and 100 learners per day to Zandvlei to learn about the importance
of Wetlands, celebrating World Wetlands Day.
Selected schools (by the Edutrain staff) from across the Cape
Flats from as far as Tulbach, Wellington , Stellenbosch come to
Zandvlei. The unique aspect of Zandvlei is that it is the only
Reserve within walking distance to a railway station (public transport)
in the Metropole.
Contact person: Gavin Lawson, phone / fax 27 021 705 5224
email
glawson@xsinet.co.za
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HOUT BAY WETLANDS PROJECTS
The Hout Bay Heritage Trust has initiated and sourced funding
for three wetland restoration projects for WWD08:
- Linking Coastal Wetlands
Aim: To establish a corridor linking
two rehabilitated wetlands within the Coastal zone of Hout Bay.
Dates: January - August 2008
- Kronendal Project: Alien Removal
in Hout Bay Wetland
Aim: To ringbark and poison the Gray
poplar trees invading the western portion of the Hout Bay Wetland
- Good Hope Sub-Council Ward Project: Cleaning up of Hout Bay
Wetland
Aim: Clearing rubble adjacent to wetlands, maintaining the board
walk and cutting of alien Spanish reeds.
Contact person: Justin O'Riain, Tel: 021 6503645
*******
KEYSERS RIVER RESTORATION
PROJECT
Rotating poster display that goes from business to business in
the light industrial area along the Keysers River to raise awareness
and encourage participation in the Keyers river restoration project.
Also aims to raise general awareness about wetlands.
Contact Person: Mandy Noffke 021 7856871
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GEESE
Glencain Education and Environment Support Enthusiasts
Els River clean up, talk and walk. Date: 2 nd Feb 08
Program:
- 09h00 meet outside the Sothern Right
Hotel. Work Party to clean up the triangle of public land & the
Els River in front of the Southern Right Hotel, Glen Road
, Glencairn.
- 11h00 Refreshments at the Southern Right Hotel
- Paul
Jaques will give a presentation about the old water mill. Presentation
in Southern Right Hotel.
- Break for Lunch - At the hotel, or
take a picnic to the ruins of the Water Mill or have a well
earned rest at home
- 16h00 Meet at the Water Mill. Paul will talk
us through the ruins.
- Then, those who are energetic will walk
down the Els River to the Sea
- 17h30 Re-Assemble at the Southern
Right Hotel for Drinks and Snacks
A big "Thank you" to the Southern Right Hotel
Contact person Cilla
Bromley 021 782 6400
e-mail: cilla@bromley.co.za
*********
TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Table Mountain National Park staff will lead an interactive wetlands
walk and talk for grade 6 and 7 learners from Ukhanyo Primary School
at the Noordhoek Wetlands bordering Masiphumelele (approx 60 learners).
This interpretive walk is on the 01 February 2008. After the walk,
the learners will be invited to apply what they have learnt to
enter a 'Ranger Challenge' competition: In groups of five they
must pretend that they are Rangers and either write what about
what they will/should do to look after an indicated piece of the
wetland, or draw a plan/map/picture that shows what they will do.
The best group wins either a hiking trip to sleep on Table Mountain
(People's Trail) or an overnight trip to West Coast National Park
.
The awareness drive is ongoing in that a smaller group of interested
learners will be helped by a teacher from the school and the People
and Conservation Officer from the Park to form an eco-club which
can 'adopt' a piece of the wetland close to Masiphumelele, which
they will regularly visit with the rangers in the section to assist
in its maintenance during the course of the year.
Future plans include that learners who remain inspired after the
year and move up to the High School can be helped to start an eco-club
at this school, and/or can join the new TMNP Youth Honorary Rangers
program that is due to start up next year.
Contact person: Crecilda van den Berg, Section Ranger for the
Noordhoek
Wetlands: 021 789 2456, or Leighan Mossop, Senior Section
Ranger for the
Central Section of TMNP: 021 789 2457, or Luyanda
Lombo, People and
Conservation Officer in TMNP: 021 789 2458
*****
Cape Nature Porterville Area
Friday 1 Feb 08
Cape Nature guided tour of Jackalsvlei and Verlorenvlei wetlands
for WfWetlands contractors. A talk about the importance of wetlands
will be presented.
Contact Heidi Nieuwoudt on 022 9312900
*****
TYGERBERG BIRD CLUB
BIRD COUNT
Our next Co-ordinated Water Bird Count (CWAC) at the Botriviervlei
and Kleinmond Estuary is due on Saturday, 2 February 2008. This
coincides with World Wetlands Day, and what better way to contribute
to the management of a healthy wetland!
We start at 07h00. The duration per section varies, but the last
team usually finishes by not later than 12h00. We usually have
a tea break during the count and a light lunch before we go home.
Each person is responsible for bringing his/her own eats and drinks.
Do remember that it is essential that everybody takes enough water
or other liquid refreshments as it might be a very hot day. Also
remember your sunscreen, hat and windbreaker, and, of course, your
binoculars!
Coordinator: Mariana Delport tel: 021 919 2282 or md@cape-ecotrous.co.za
*****
WEST COAST FIELD STUDIES CENTRE
The West Coast Field Studies Centre is proud to launch the Paarden
Eiland Wetland Rehabilitation Project on the 02 February 2008,
proudly sponsored by Totalgaz Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. and Total
Corporate Foundation for Biodiversity and the Sea.
Details of the launch:
- Place: Brooklyn Chest Hospital
- Time: To start at 10:00 am
- Theme: Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People
A group of learners has been invited to attend the launch. The
learners will partake in various educational activities to learn
more about the Paarden Eiland Wetland and the WCFSCs involvement
in conserving and rehabilitating the wetland.
Contact person: Jennifer van Niekerk, tel (021) 511 2384 or 084 626
7404
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