Landowners who have listed invasive species must notify any relevant competent authority, in writing, of the listed invasive species occurring on that land. Furthermore, landowners must take steps to control and eradicate the listed invasive species and prevent them from spreading, the Department of Environmental Affairs said in a statement on Friday. “Failure to do so … [Read more...]
World Elephant Day: Ecologists join forces to save revered animal
The goal of World Elephant Day is to create awareness of the urgent plight of African and Asian elephants, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants. African elephants are listed as “Vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. According to conservationists, … [Read more...]
Why are our sea turtles getting smaller?
Sea turtles in South Africa are getting smaller – and scientists are trying to find out why, and how this will affect future populations. “What we are finding is that the size at reproduction of individual loggerhead and leatherback turtles is getting smaller over time, and we are gearing our research to find out what could be the cause,” said NMMU’s Head of Zoology, … [Read more...]
A ranger’s view on the rhino poaching epidemic
Rangers working in the Kruger National Park (KNP) refer to it as ‘the beast’. With a size of 19 485km² and temperatures that sore to a blistering 50°C, working in the field is not for the faint-hearted. Rangers work up to 21 days in the bush under these harsh conditions, without the luxuries many of us take for granted, and away from their families and loved ones. While only … [Read more...]
Sign the declaration of interdependence
The Declaration of Interdependence expresses our values as an organization. It was written for the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This we know We are the earth, through the plants and animals that nourish us. We are the rains and the oceans that flow through our veins. We are the breath of the forests of the land, and the plants of the sea. We are human … [Read more...]
Becoming a Change Maker
Finding your niche as a change maker can be challenging. Start this process by getting clear about your strengths, passions and skills. Becoming a change maker is usually a difficult personal journey to undertake. Mostly, the process unfolds over several phases: first, there is an increasingly painful awareness of the worsening state of the world; second, is the realisation … [Read more...]
Gretchen Daily honored with Blue Planet Prize for tireless eco work
Your summer vacation plans have changed – you’re going to the moon. Stanford biologist Gretchen Daily wants you to imagine this scenario and to consider all the Earth-bound organisms you would depend on for food, building materials, pharmaceuticals and general happiness up there. “You’d get a list of thousands of species,” said Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental … [Read more...]
Stricter control of invasive species essential in Africa
Invasive alien species harm ecosystems, economies and human health across the globe. In Africa, alien trees reduce water yield in regions that are severely water stressed. Fishes introduced for aquaculture reduce native biodiversity and alien whiteflies spread diseases in cassava that can lead to famine. Many of these species were introduced intentionally for use as pets, … [Read more...]
A friend in need: learning about companion planting
If you imagine "companion planting" to be a pleasant potter around the garden with a friend, you may be on to something. But it is also a system of buddying up the various plants in your garden to help control pests, maximise planting space, assist with pollination, encourage growth and improve yield. It can even enhance the flavour of your produce. I went along to a … [Read more...]
Join the West Coast reforesting pilgrimage this Arbor Month
Join this exciting Arbor Month pilgrimage and reforest project. We will leave from Woodbridge Island, Milnerton Cape Town on Arbor day 1st September and walk for two days (42km) along our magnificent shore line, spending a night together at accommodation in Melbosstrand. The next day we walk through Koeberg Nature Reserve to Camphill Farm, where we sleep and eat communally … [Read more...]
Become a Conservation Champion
The WWF brought together stakeholders from the wine industry and conservation to create the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) in 2005. Over the next decade, the initiative fostered greater awareness of the Cape’s unique natural heritage and encouraged many farms to implement biodiversity-friendly farming. The partnership also saw South Africa’s voluntary sustainable … [Read more...]
Kruger National Park to combat rhino poaching with new regional court
South African Environmental Minister Dr Edna Molewa has welcomed the opening of a regional court in Skukuza to assist in combating rhino poaching-related offences in the Kruger National Park. “Having a Regional Court in Skukuza will ensure that the case turnaround times for rhino poaching and related cases are expedited thus making a significant contribution to tackling the … [Read more...]
Development threatens nearly half of all natural World Heritage Sites
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. These are just three of the 238 natural and mixed (cultural and natural) sites designated as World Heritage by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. And all three are threatened by human development. They’re not alone. … [Read more...]
