African Wildlife and Environment Issue 65

CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION

• Efforts to protect the endangered species found in the conservancy are also evident. Great work is being done to bring the community together while protecting the existing biodiversity and • The conservancy does not act in isolation, but networks with a number of other conservancies, schools, local councils and the GCSA. The clear commitment to conservation and community is evident. Korsman Conservancy Benoni Urban • The main achievement in the last two years has been reversing the degradation of the grassland from weeds and bush encroachment. We have removed thousands of Cirsium vulgare (Spear thistle) Conyza bonariensis (Fleabane) and saplings of Fraxinus americana (American Ash), as well as a host of other invasives. The programme has been very successful. We also carried out an ecological burn, the first in decades, despite the challenges of being in an urban area; • We had some support from Ekurhuleni to spray Phragmites australis (common reed) and Typha capensis (bulrush) which invaded due to high water levels and high nutrient levels from sewerage spills. This is an ongoing fight, but we have managed to clear many plants from the shoreline which had completely blocked the view and • We have been drawing up species lists of flora and fauna, and so far we have 137 birds, 32 butterflies (including the rare Marsh Sylph), 10 Odonata (dragon- and damsel flies), and many plants. Greater Kyalami Conservancy (GEKCO) Urban/Rural • This area is recognised not only as an important environmental asset, but as an important equine area, the hub of equestrian sport and industry in South Africa; • Five African Grass-Owl nests have been recorded in the past year, two with chicks that have since fledged. These sightings have provided great opportunities for photographers and some of the sightings and photos have been published in Getaway and African Bird Life magazines. A photo taken of a Grass Owl fleeing a fire in 2014 won second place in the Getaway competition last year; • We held two clean-ups, one on the Jukskei River on Mandela Day with city and provincial departments, another where we joined in the Spruit Day activities in September. On Mandela Day in 2016 we held a snare clean up with residents and children from the neighbouring Riversands Farm: • GEKCO has been running a successful recycling project since 2014 with ‘Bontle ke Tlhago’,

focusing on both conservation and sustainable development and • Assist in compiling species lists. Education and awareness exhibitions • Birding Fairs; • Various conservancies’ open days; • WITS University annual ‘Yebo

a recycling cooperative in Diepsloot. This is supported by Pikitup at no charge to the residents. They collect around ten tons per month from the Kyalami area, which assists in keeping the Buy Back Centre in operation. They are looking at expanding going forward; • We received the Mail and Guardian Greening Award for Community Conservation for our Green Neighbourhood project. Its focus is to encourage community participation in the planning and management of the environment in collaboration with neighbouring communities. iHlathi, the Melrose-Birdhaven Conservancy Urban • We have continued to engage various parties on a proposed ‘Green Meander’ between Rosebank and Melrose Arch; • Birdhaven Ratepayers’ Association organised the erection of wooden poles along Melrose Street, from Tyrwhitt Avenue to the M1, to help prevent illegal dumping, and around the circle on Greenacres; • ‘Save Glenhove Road’: iHlathi launched a campaign in July 2016 to apply pressure on the Council, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, City Parks & Zoo, as well as developers, regarding the unchecked destruction of the tree-scape along the road • Tree planting: wild olive trees were planted along Venus Street by City Parks, and plane trees along Glenhove. City Parks has also replaced some dead oak trees on the centre islands on Oxford Road with liquid ambers.

and is responsible for forging closer ties with the Environmental and Planning Departments of that region’s Council/Metro.

Gogga’ event with over 6 000 children passing through this exhibit each year; • Schools and fairs; • Tag A Dumper’ - this is an initiative whereby postcards are distributed to enable us to contact the ‘dumper’ (name and shame); • Walkerville Agricultural Show and • Plant rescue schemes - the removal and relocation of medicinal and horticultural plants from development sites.

The GCSA Library will be written into a Trust to ensure that this Library is kept complete for future generations

GCSA Library An extensive library has been established at the Association’s offices. Books have been donated by members and friends of the Conservancies. To date the library consists of approximately 2 000 environmental books. Some speciality books to mention are, full sets of Natal Plants , dating back to 1899; a full set of Flora of South Africa by Rudolf Marloth; a full set of Trees of Southern Africa and a full set of The Succulent Euphorbiaecae, Southern Africa . This library is extensively used for research when the conservancies are involved in Environment Impact Assessments. We also have an extensive range of DVDs and magazines from a variety of organisations; a full set of Tree Society and WESSA magazines, to name a few. Some of the projects in our member Conservancies include: Cullinan Conservancy Rural • This conservancy shows an obvious commitment to protecting the area’s biodiversity through the implementation of a number of thoughtful programmes. In particular, the removal of snares, the small mammal programme, the owl, bat and chameleon projects and the snake rescue/ relocation initiative, all aid in the protection of biodiversity; • An intensive alien vegetation eradication plan, which includes trying to identify themost effective herbicides, and an enthusiastic farmer education programme, will also do much to improve the natural biodiversity of the area;

Our themes at these shows include snares and the damage they cause and what conservancies are doing about it. We also have a collection of animal skulls which has been integrated into the school curriculum. The following educational booklets are distributed: • Wetlands are Precious, including a poster; • Wetland Study, including a poster; • Protect our Frogs, including a poster; • An Educational Guide to Frogs; • Community Development and upliftment projects; • Grasslands, including an activity book and a poster; • Owls, including and activity book and a poster; • Animals in our Environment, (pre-school); • Conservation Programme for Cubs; • Exploring the Soil; • Wildlife in our Garden; • The A – Z of Living Things in Life and • Animal Antics (Book 1 and 2). GCSA Committee Members are representing conservancies on the following forums and organisations: • Gauteng Wetland Forum; • Klip River Forum; • Blesbokspruit Forum; • National Association of Conservancies / Stewardship of South Africa; • Involvement with the Gauteng Councils’ Integrated Development Policies. Gauteng is divided into five regions. Each Executive Committee member has been allocated a region

Ivan Parkes Chairman Thorntree Conservancy Chairman Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association www.thorntree.co.za www.conservancies.org www.nacsa.org.za

12 |

13 | African Wildlife & Environment | 65 (2017)