Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534
Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562, E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
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Please feel free to write to express your views on the content or the subject of any of the articles in this magazine – to the address above.
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Time to put theory into practice
By Krissie Clark, Wayne Lotter & Jan Phelan
Many of us have worked in and visited numerous parks in Africa, and most of these times are associated with glorious and wonderful memories of these amazing reserves. And I am also sure there are many of us who have had these wonderful memories shattered, when a recent visit to a particular park or news on a park suggests that everything is in a state of disarray, with buildings and roads neglected, vegetation hammered from the heavy pressure of game, off road driving and wood collection or totally infested with invasive plants and the wildlife is being poached left, right and centre. Similarly, many of us know of protected areas that are just really parks on maps and that exist in the legislation (‘paper parks’), but offer little real protection. In reality, except for the 3 game scouts who sit under a tree all day with little ammunition, unserviceable rifles, and who poach the very wildlife they are supposed to be protecting, it would be difficult to guess that it was a game park or nature reserve. All this, while their manager spends most of his time attending meetings and busying himself with non essential issues, usually outside of the park. But who can blame them, when they have not been equipped or trained appropriately or managed consistently and according to clear achievable objectives? This is unfortunately the sad reality of many of Africa’s protected areas, which are under threat and exposed to mismanagement and degradation. It is thus no wonder that there has been an urgent call to find ways of ensuring effective management of protected areas.
Currently the management of protected areas largely depends on the quality and drive of its management staff and the resources available to them, but what protected areas really need is some structured system that will work towards set objectives and targets. A system that will identify risks within each protected area and set objectives to address these risks, address conservation concerns, clearly define roles and responsibilities, determine and promote best practices, reduce liabilities, identify gaps, help ensure legal compliance and provide a framework which will allow for regular monitoring and continual improvement. A system that would achieve and maintain effective management, regardless of the quality of its managers.
The goods news is that GRAA has developed an excellent tool that can do all of the above and it can even be used as a tool to actually implement those complicated Integrated Management/Development Plans that become the burden of many managers. This wonderfully useful and practical tool is known as PAMS, which is the acronym for a Protected Area Management System.
For several years PAMS existed in theory, while it gained support and endorsement from senior representatives of organizations such as the IUCN South Africa, DEAT, WESSA and EWT. At the same time it was promoted and well received in publications and presentations at various workshops and symposiums. In 2007, the time came when theory was put into practice. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) agreed to implement PAMS in its Invasive Alien Species Programme with the idea that should it prove successful, it could be further expanded into other functions across the organization. With just over a year having gone by since its approval within EKZNW, it can now be said that with the implementation of PAMS, the Invasive Alien Species Programme is now outcomes focused, well co-ordinated, well implemented and making the best use of tax-payers money in order to ensure effective, efficient and transparent management of invasive alien species within EKZNW protected areas. The use of PAMS in this way showed that the system is very easily adapted, and in fact is ideally suited for conservation programmes of this nature (alien plant control programmes, wetland rehabilitation programmes, land-care initiatives, etc) and not only for the management of protected areas. PAMS could thus also be accurately referred to as a ‘Programmatic Audited Management System’.
Further good news is that 2008 will bring about the adoption of PAMS into the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Protection Corridor Project, which is an international conservation project linking the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania with the Niassa Game Reserve in Mozambique. Negotiations are also currently underway for the adoption of PAMS into another major Transfrontier Conservation Area initiative in Africa.
So, you are probably wondering what PAMS actually is, and what makes it so unique and effective. PAMS is based largely on the ISO14001 EMS approach and includes the same basic components, but contains some different emphases and specific requirements unique to conservation. In short, it contains essentially the same basic key components as does ISO14001, such as Planning, Implementation and Operation, Checking and Corrective Action and Management Review. Under each of these components there is a list of criteria that needs to be met or put in place. Thus by simply having all these criteria in place, it creates a management system that identifies risks and sets objectives to address the significant risks. It assists to clearly define roles and responsibilities, addresses conservation concerns, determines and promotes best practices, ensures competency at different levels, reduces liabilities, identifies gaps and ensures the measurement of implementation and outcomes of management actions through auditing and evaluation. Cumulatively, they provide the framework that drives continual improvement and ensures effective management.
Those of you who are familiar with ISO 14001 may be thinking, how does PAMS actually differ from ISO14001? Well, ISO was essentially developed for industries and thus ISO 14001 and its auditors have a very ‘brown’ environmental focus, and concern themselves with issues relating to energy consumption, waste management, oil & chemical spills, etc. ISO monitors things such as production inputs and outputs, and overall often results in a huge paper trail which arguably doesn’t always add as much value as it does workload. ISO is also inflexible in the sense that some requirements have to be met because of rigid global standards which demand mandatory conformance, regardless of their significance in the specific situation. Most importantly, ISO places little emphasis and provides little guidance on some biodiversity conservation issues. Conversely, PAMS is more simple, basic and its primary emphasis is on conservation issues. For example, issues such as veld condition, burning regimes, invasive alien species, erosion, and red data species need to be addressed and monitoring requirements again focus more on ‘green’ issues such as vegetation & animal monitoring, collection of weather data, Thresholds of Potential Concern/ Limits of Acceptable Change. Similarly, with issues relating to emergency preparedness, ISO 14001 focuses on issues like big spills and emissions while PAMS looks more at emergencies like uncontrollable veld fires, floods, erosion, the presence of highly invasive alien species and disease outbreaks. PAMS is flexible, and can cater for specific requirements, for example if something can be shown to not add real value it can be motivated and ‘exempted’ from the system in a given situation. PAMS can be simplified to suit the scale and capacity of individual organisations. So, as you can see, ISO 14001 was developed primarily with the concept for implementation in essentially transformed environments by people with a strong focus on ‘brown’ environmental experience and expertise (many of whom are from Europe and other developed countries), whereas PAMS was developed for ‘greenies’ in Africa by ‘greenies’ from Africa with many years of conservation and environmental experience.
So, where to from here? The medium to long term goals are to implement PAMS in numerous African protected areas and conservation programmes and thus we are actively seeking new areas and/or projects in which to implement the system. We have also discussed the establishment of a Protected Area Stewardship (PAS) Council, and have obtained in principle approval of this proposal from some of the leading conservation agencies in southern Africa, through which conservation authorities can attain certification of their protected areas. Thus, although the main objective of PAMS is to act as a tool to help and ensure effective management, the option of certification could also be obtained at a later stage. If required, this could include 3rd party certification of outsourced tourism and/or hunting agents against the relevant PAS standards.
For more information contact:
Krissie Clark - krissie@ecoinsight.co.za
Jan Phelan - mwplanit@mweb.co.za
Useful number for theNews from Environment Minister
"Real and urgent" threats were facing SA's conservation areas and first world countries had to do more to help, Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Wednesday.
As a result of climate change, the Kruger National Park could see more intense rainfall interspersed with longer dry spells, he told the World Parks Conference in Somerset West.
This could see changes in tree cover and greater competition for water.
Fynbos species in the Table Mountain National Park could become extinct, along with more fires and accelerated spread of alien invasive species.
While South Africa was ready to do more, economically advanced countries had to do go even further and "come good in supporting us".
"Therefore, we must conclude the negotiations on climate change, as agreed in the Bali Roadmap, by the end of 2009."
Van Schalkwyk said it would be one of the most complex, but also one of the most defining international negotiations ever.
Outlining steps the country was already taking to combat climate change, Van Schalkwyk said expanding national parks could make them more resistant to climate change.
Examples were the Namaqua National Park and the Tankwa National Park. Making them larger was creating parks with greater variety in altitude and more "biologically important" components.
This would provide a greater variety of habitats, which would reduce the risks climate change posed to endemic species.
He said "significant" amounts of money had already been spent to expand formal protected areas, bringing the number of national parks to 22.
Sapa
News from Alex Miller from Canada
I recently gave a presentation on my past career in NPB/KZN to students at one of our local colleges and the college is interested if there are any opportunities for international student exchanges to work in resource management between SA and Canada. The institution enquiring is known as Malaspina University College (Resource Management Officer Technology Dept.)
http://www.mala.ca/calendar/Technology/rmot.asp
A contact person is Marilyn Funk funkm@mala.ca
I’ll ask Marilyn to send you a written contribution under “jobs wanted” section of the GRAA newsletter, it may stimulate interest in student African Rangers/CO’s wishing to get Canadian experience and visa versa in two different environments with a common goal of biodiversity conservation management in mind.
Greatly appreciated,
Alex
POSITION(s) WANTED
Member looking for a position
I am looking for any appointment in the conservation industry, preferably in reserve or protected area management. I have a National Diploma in Travel and Tourism with four years experience in the industry. I also have a National Diploma in Nature Conservation with over eight years experience in reserve management and related industries in Ithala Game Reserve, Balule Nature Reserve, Umbabat Private Nature Reserve and Laohu Valley Reserve. A full portfolio including a CV can be sent via courier or electronically. I am available from 1 June 2008. Please contact me at:
(h&w) +27 (0) 51-773 7057
(mobile) +27 (0) 83-305 3104
(fax) +27 (0) 86-670 9674
PO Box 28; Philippolis; 9970; South Africa
marius.fuls@gmail.com
Marius Fuls
GRAA Professional Member
Can anyone help this young lady find a job?
SIEGLINDE C. RODE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT
POSTAL ADDRESS: Umlani Buschcamp
P.O. Box 651
Hoedspruit
Limpopo Province, South Africa
1380
NATIONALITY: SOUTH AFRICAN ID NUMBER: 8211110017089
Languages: English, Afrikaans & German
TERTIARY EDUCATION:
HIGHEST QUALIFICATION: B-TECH NATURE CONSERVATION (2006)
CURRENTLY COMPLETING:
MSc in Environmental Management at University of South Africa (UNISA)
EMPLOYMENT PROFILE:
POSITION: GENERAL MANAGER (PART-TIME RESEARCH)
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE (CANADA): KAROO VERVET MONKEY PROJECT, SAMARA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (JAN 2007 – SEPT 2007).
POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER/RESEARCHER
POSITION: RESEARCHER
POSITION: RESEARCHER
POSITION: STUDENT
REFERENCES
Hard worker & homesick
Some of you will remember Dave Bradfield, he is a very hard working guy from the days he worked on Songimvelo and Mthethomusha. if you know of anything going please let him know.
Greetings and hope you guys are well?
I am looking at returning to South Africa as soon as possible!! If you might hear of any conservation post going, government or private, I would appreciate it if you could let us know. Even though my posting here (Cambodia) has been rather administrative and senior management, I am rather keen to return to a field based posting and get my hands and boots dirty, that is what they are meant for!
Cheers guys, I would appreciate it if you could pass this on to others too. I know things might be heading one way in SA, but after all it is home! My post here would become available but can chat about that later…
Best wishes and do hope to catch up sometime.
David Bradfield
Fauna & Flora International
Protected Areas Manager
#8B, St. 398, (PO Box 1380) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: +855 (0) 23 220534, Mobile: +855 (0) 92 251667
Email: davidbradfieldffi@gmail.com, Website: www.fauna-flora.org
CV - David Bradfield
37-year-old South African with farming background and 15 years’ wildlife management experience in Africa and SE Asia.
Currently working for Fauna and Flora International (FFI) as Cardamom Mountains Wildlife Sanctuaries Programme Manager in Cambodia, SE Asia
Experience May 2007 - Present Fauna and Flora International (FFI) Cambodia, SE Asia, Cardamom Mountains Wildlife Sanctuaries (CMWSP) Programme Manager
PS I have a 2 page CV for anyone wishing more details – ed
Tailpiece
Actual call center conversations
Customer: 'I've been ringing 0800 2100 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?'.
Operator: 'Where did you get that number from, sir?'.
Customer: 'It was on the door to the Travel Center'.
Operator: 'Sir, they are our opening hours'.
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Samsung Electronics
Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about'.
Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I think you mean the telephone point on the wall'.
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RAC Motoring Services
Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am traveling in Australia?'
Operator: ' Doesn't the product name give you a clue?'
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Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in France ):
'If I register my car in France , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?'
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Directory Enquiries
Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please'.
Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?'
Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off'.
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Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland '.
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On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on'.
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Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop'.
Customer: 'OK'.
Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'.
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'.
Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click''.
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Tech Support: 'OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?'
Customer: 'Wow. How can you see my screen from there?'
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?'.
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There's always one. This has got to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the Word Perfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the Word Perfect organization for 'Termination without Cause'.
This is the actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!):
Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble??'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared.'
Operator: 'Hmm, So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type.'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??'
Caller: 'Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark??'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.
' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not??'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power......... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now.
Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too f --- ing stupid to own a computer!!!!!'