Hi again
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. These are your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
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.
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “unsubscribe C~S ” as the message heading.
World Rangers Day
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL RANGER FEDERATION
18:00 pm (GMT): 30th July 2007
Sierra Leone, West Africa
As the sun creeps up over the horizon in Fiji, New Zealand and the Marshall Islands (GMT + 12 hours) on this the morning of Tuesday 31st July 2007 it signals the start of a very special day for the world. Today is World Rangers Day wherein we celebrate the dedication, commitment and sheer guts of the men and women who protect the protected areas, biodiversity and cultural heritage of this planet – the Rangers. The Rangers are the unsung heroes who seek neither reward nor popular acclaim, wherein their work is very often its own reward and their own justification. Yet in most circumstances Rangers are sadly under resourced and poorly supported and still many Rangers are killed while carrying out of their duties. In the short start to this new millennium alone over 145 rangers have died or been killed on duty (that we know of).
This year is a very special year for World Ranger Day, as it is being celebrated through the simultaneous screening of the international premiere of the Ranger documentary, “The Thin Green Line”, in over 500 locations and in 52 countries around the world. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for the Ranger Dependents Fund, a fund jointly established by the International Ranger Federation and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) for the purpose of providing support for the families of Rangers who have died.
Before the sun sets over Midway Island and Samoa (GMT -12 hours) on this special day I would hope that all who read this will lift up a prayer for the safety and well-being of all the thousands of Rangers around the world in their isolated and lonely posts.
When you next meet a Ranger tell him or her how much you appreciate their worth. But on this very special day, World Ranger Day and the premiere of the “Thin Green Line”, please show your understanding and support and make a contribution to the Ranger Dependents Fund. Visit www.thingreenline.info to find out more. You can also contribute by becoming a “Friend of the International Ranger Federation” through an annual subscription. Please visit www.int-ranger.net to find out more about “Friends”.
Warm Regards and Thank You.
David Zeller
President
International Ranger Federation
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Protected areas are an important legacy for present and future generations; they are not only nice places where nature can be admired and enjoyed but also they support important ecological processes that are vital for maintaining life on Earth whilst providing opportunities to enhance people’s livelihoods. However, when thinking about protected areas, we should acknowledge and recognize the tireless efforts of the “protectors” – the rangers – who work in the frontline of conservation.
Rangers are indeed a special kind of people. Despite being often overworked, underpaid, and under resourced, these men and women are fully committed to safeguard nature. No matter what they do – facing poachers, implementing rescue operations, fighting forest fires, and protecting people and wildlife from the odds of armed conflicts – they do it with valour and modesty with the conviction that they are just doing their work. Unfortunately, every year many of them are losing their lives in the line of duty; our respect and deep appreciation should always be with them and their families.
Today, the World Ranger Day, is an occasion to think of the thousands of rangers worldwide that are making of conservation and sustainable development objectives their day-to-day work. They are working with local communities and indigenous peoples to achieve better conservation and management outcomes, they educate visitors and tourists on how to better appreciate and interact with nature, they fight with courage all those that are attempting to destroy what rangers often call “my protected area”. IUCN is proud of having been associated with the International Rangers Federation for many years promoting the need for many years – in fact our duty – to protect the protectors. Thus the international premiere of the ranger documentary “The Thin Green Line” is an excellent opportunity to recognize the essential contribution of rangers worldwide in achieving conservation whilst offering a hearty tribute to those that lost their lives to this noble cause.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
California State Park Ranger Day
IRF IEC:
As you will see from the note below, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state of California in the U.S. joined in the World Ranger Day celebration.
Bill Halainen
-------
From: Coleman, Ruth
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 3:00 PM
To: All Parks Employees
Subject: California State Park Ranger Day
Governor Schwarzenegger has recognized the outstanding service provided by California State Park Rangers and all employees of the Department of Parks and Recreation and has proclaimed July 31, 2007, as "California State Park Ranger Day." The International Ranger Federation has declared July 31, 2007, to be the first World Ranger Day in honor of the men and women around the globe who dedicate their lives to the protection of natural and cultural treasures. The Governor's proclamation joins the international acknowledgement of the important contributions to resource protection and recreation in California and throughout the world.
Please join me in paying tribute to all of those who preserve California's
natural and cultural treasures
Dear BIOPLANNERS
Nearly every day I receive requests from people about climate change and what we can do about it. I am sometimes surprised by how little they seem to know the magnitude of the problem.
Whilst making a "compilation" for one request, I found two more very useful links.....
1. The first is a nice set of Questions and Answers on global warming - the
answers were compiled mostly by scientists citing peer-reviewed
publications, and some of these are hyperlinked for access in the
References. Go to:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/GlobalWarmingQandA/index.html
2. The second is a set of Scenarios of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Atmospheric Concentrations produced by the US Climate Change Program - (see the press release below my signature).
This Assessment, plus a Review of Integrated Scenario Development and
Application: Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.1, final report is available
for download at:
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap2-1/finalreport/default.htm
There is a useful 29 page (3MB) technical summary available at:
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap2-1/finalreport/sap2-1a-final-t
echnical-summary.pdf
The stabilization models confirm what the STERN report and many others have concluded, that...........
"Achieving stabilization of atmospheric GHGs poses a substantial technological and policy challenge. It would require important transformations of the global energy system. The cost and feasibility of such a goal depends on the evolution of technology and its ability to overcome existing limits and barriers to adoption, and it depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the policy instruments employed to achieve stabilization." Technical summary page 31
Key assumptions for successful stabilization are that: "(1) all nations proceed together in restricting GHG emissions from 2012 and continue together throughout the century, and that the same marginal cost is applied across sectors ('where' flexibility); (2) the marginal cost of abatement rises over time based on each modeling group’s interpretation of 'when' flexibility, with the effect of linking emissions mitigation efforts over the time horizon of the scenarios; and (3) stabilization of radiative forcing is achieved by combining control of all GHGs, with differences in how modeling groups compared them ('what' flexibility). Technical Summary page 11
"Increased use is made of biomass energy crops in all the stabilization scenarios, the contribution of which is ultimately limited by competition with agriculture and forestry. One modeling group examined the importance of valuing terrestrial carbon similarly to the way fossil fuel carbon is valued in stabilization scenarios. It was found that important interactions between large-scale deployment of commercial bioenergy crops and land use occurred to the detriment of unmanaged ecosystems when no economic value was placed on carbon in terrestrial systems." Technical Summary page 21
"As noted earlier, the overall cost levels are strongly influenced by the idealized policy scenario that has all countries participating from the start, the assumption of where flexibility, an efficient pattern of emissions reductions over time, and integrated reductions in emissions of the different GHGs. Assumptions in which policies are implemented in a less efficient manner would lead to higher costs. Thus, these scenarios should not be interpreted as applying beyond the particular conditions assumed." Technical Summary page 24
and finally......
"This document does not express any regulatory policies of the United States or any of its agencies, or provide recommendations for regulatory action."
Yours sincerely
David Duthie
-- David Duthie, UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit, Geneva, Email: david.duthie @ unep.ch
Read this report and find more information on the CCSP at
http://www.climatescience.gov/
Lake Natron Update - 16th July 2007
Dear Colleagues,
This is a regular update to like minded people to raise awareness on the proposed construction of a soda ash plant by Tata Chemicals Ltd at Lake Natron in Tanzania. The lake is the only significant breeding site for lesser flamingos in Eastern Africa. This plant could seriously affect the breeding of this near threatened species thus wiping out 75% of the population of the global population. The livelihoods of the local communities that depend on the surrounding rangelands are also threatened.
I have taken the liberty to put you on this mailing list because I thought that we should work together to ensure that the integrity of this vital lake and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on the area are safeguarded. I hope this is ok.
Please find yesterday’s (16th July 2007) update:
--- Today’s update is a bit lengthy as it includes information from the Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania(TZ), workshop but it has crucial information so please read on….
1. The Kenyan team of three (Hadley Becha, Peter Odhiambo and Ole Petenya Yusuf-Shani) is back from the Dar workshop. Their trip was kindly funded by East African Wildlife Society and IUCN – Regional Office for Eastern African. Here is the brief:
a) About 40 participants attended the workshop representing various institutions including IUCN, WWF, WWT, WCST, Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT), Ramsar Secretariat and Tanzania Government officials. Tata Chemicals Ltd was represented by two high level officials. It was not made clear how the participants were selected.
b) In the morning session, Norconsult gave a presentation of the proposed project and presented summary findings of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) document. In the afternoon, the participants were given a chance to react to the presentation
c) It emerged that the document presented was not an ESIA since it was lacking in critical details such as project alternatives and mitigation measures for the identified impacts. The proponent accepted that Flamingos were going to be affected significantly but they did not provide any mitigation measures except “avoiding the nesting areas”. Other details such as hydrological data (which is critical in a water scarce area like Natron) were missing. In addition, issues such as land tenure system in the project site and the mode of transporting the end product were not articulated. The transport mode would depend on decisions to be made by the government of TZ hence providing a blank cheque for this activity.
d) It became clear that the process of the ESIA was not consultative since it ignored inputs from outside the republic of TZ. The fact that international conventions were not considered was noted. Moreover, that the existing protocols for EIA and Strategic Environmental Assessment under the East African Community were ignored was a major omission – Norconsult, the EIA consultants for Tata Chemicals were not even aware of these protocols!
e) The fact that there is no management plan (MP) for the Ramsar site was highlighted. The TZ government officials could not confirm the stage of MP preparation process. It was clear that this project was being proposed in the absence of a guiding framework; a management plan. This contravenes the Ramsar Convention of which TZ is a signatory. Also, the Government of Tanzania did not inform the Ramsar Secretariat about the soda ash plant proposal.
f) At the end of the workshop, the participants insisted that a more comprehensive consultative process must be undertaken. This time round, it should not be limited to inviting the concerned and interested institutions to a workshop but an open debate and dialogue over issues must be facilitated. Information must be fully disclosed and all the necessary data provided. However, a management plan for the Ramsar site must first be developed. Norconsult indicated willingness to consult more stakeholders but also expressed urgency in terms of meeting certain deadlines imposed by the proponent – the document is still open for comments until 27th July. However, it is not clear what they will do with it after 27th.
2. The implications of the workshop outcome to our campaign is: ALUTA CONTINUA. There is apparent political pressure within TZ to ensure that the project commences as soon as possible. This is why we can’t relent. Our next steps will be:
a) To continue engaging the Kenyan government authorities to prompt them to engage their TZ counterparts
b) Continue with our ongoing public awareness on this issue, especially in TZ. We are in touch with Lawyers Environmental Action Team and Journalists for Environment in doing this.
c) Engage the Environment Committee of the EAC secretariat and provide them with the necessary information
d) Initiate an online petition to be presented to the Government of TZ and Tata Chemicals Ltd. The thrust of this will be to demand that the consultative process be comprehensive and that the international conventions and protocols be respected.
e) Bring on board more institutions in the region, including those from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Sudan, Yemen, and Sudan should also be consulted. We will maintain regular communication with our Friends in Europe, Americas and Asia.
3. Last week, the Kenyan press highlighted the threat to Lake Natron. On 12th July, there was an advert on Page 19 of Daily Nation and a feature article on page 14 of The People. The same evening the issue was highlighted on NTV. The previous week Business Daily carried an article in the ‘company and business page 8. All these articles are attached.
4. A number of papers in Europe ran stories on the threat to Lake Natron.
These include The Independent
(http://environment.independent.co.uk/wildlife/article2758826.ece), The
Telegraph
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/07/12/eaflam112
.xml); The Guardian
(http://environment.guardian.co.uk/conservation/story/0,,2124251,00.html);
The BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6292434.stm and The Scotsman
(http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1083162007). I might be able
to share some of these stories later.
5. We have received inquiries from The Telegraph of India, Greenpeace (India) and Prof Agoramoorthy in Taiwan on Lake Natron. Greenpeace is willing to join hands with us as they have issues with other Tata projects in India. The Telegraph would like to ran a story from the Tata perspective. Prof Agoramoorthy is willing to highlight the issue in his country and region.
6. We need Ksh 125,000 (US $ 1,925) to pay for a half page advert in one of the regional newspapers in order to maintain this tempo. We request any institutions or individuals willing to contribute towards this to get in touch with me or Peter Odhiambo at (podhiambo@eawildlife.org)
7. Starting today, we shall use this new email address dedicated to this campaign; it is lakenatron@acc.or.ke. If you see updates from this address please do not delete. This will streamline our communication.
That’s quite a chunk for now, more tomorrow.
Thanks all for your immense support.
Ken Mwathe (Secretariat), For: Lake Natron Consultative Group
You are invited to join Lake Natron Consultative Group. The following Institutions are spearheading efforts to ensure that the Integrity of Lake Natron and the Cross Border Ecosystem is Maintained:
1. East African Wildlife Society
2. African Conservation Centre (ACC)
3. Nature Kenya
4. Youth For Conservation,
5. South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO),
6. Kenya Wetlands Forum (KWF)
7. Centre for Minority Rights for Development (CEMIRIDE),
8. Kenya Community based Tourism Network (KECOBAT),
9. Environmental Liaison Centre International (ELCI),
10. Centre for Education and research in Environmental Law(CREEL)
11. Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK)
12. Ethiopia Wildlife Natural History Society (EWNHS)
INTERPOL ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME WEBSITE ADDRESS
This is a very interesting site to see what is being monitored, the various
fields they are involved in and what the organization is about
http://www.interpol.int/Public/EnvironmentalCrime/Default.asp
MEDIA RELEASE, A Transfrontier Park in the Maloti Drakensberg
Southern Africa will soon boast yet another Transfrontier Park - a majestic
stretch of the Maloti Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa and Lesotho.
This will be the fifth Southern African Transfrontier Park where wildlife
can freely cross the border between two sovereign countries – within the
bounds of a Protected Area. Investigations will also be initiated to
determine the feasibilty of allowing people free movement across the
international border within the confines of the Transfrontier Park.
The last remaining sections of border fence between Sehlabathebe National Park (SNP) in Lesotho and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDP WHS) in South Africa will be removed before the Transfrontier Park is declared next month. This will also enhance its mountain wilderness character. The Transfrontier Park perimeter fencing will, however be strengthened and upgraded with time to assist in maintaining its integrity.
The declaration of the Park on the 4th of September 2007 will coincide with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the “Giant’s Castle Declaration”, which paved the way for the formation of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project – MDTP. This project has seen conservation agencies in Lesotho and South Africa joining hands to find ways of protecting the region’s rich natural and cultural splendour. The Transfrontier Park is one of the results of the planning and collaboration that the MDTP was set up to facilitate.
Transfrontier Parks, and related Transfrontier Conservation Areas, are important in achieving Southern Africa’s biodiversity conservation targets and in slowing down the loss of biodiversity due to a myriad of threats. Transfrontier Parks allow for improved conservation management over their whole area, with management personnel better able to respond to a variety of environmental threats. In addition they enhance Southern Africa’s offerings as a tourism destination.
A Joint Management Committee is in operation under the auspices of the Lesotho Ministry of Tourism Environment and Culture and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (South Africa). A number of actions have already been undertaken including improving radio communications and fire management planning. A joint management plan for the Transfrontier Park has been completed.
Considerations for the committee include issues of safety and security (particularly livestock theft), cultural heritage management (for which plans are being drawn up) and the development of eco-tourism possibilities such as improved hiking trail opportunities between Bushman’s Nek (UDP WHS) and SNP where new tourism infrastructure is being built. These management actions will be implemented in consultation and with involvement of the communities adjacent to the parks to promote sustainability.
Discussions will be initiated with border control authorities to set up control systems between the two countries. It is envisaged that visitors entering the park will either gain a park permit allowing them to move freely within the borders of the park, or get their passports stamped allowing them to hike through the park and on to the other country. The compatible management zoning of both individual parks will restrict vehicular access to the visitor facilities near the entrance points to the Transfrontier Park while allowing hikers the enjoyment of its wilderness character along formalised cross-border hiking trails.
Borne out of a belief that “nature has no boundaries”, transfrontier conservation areas aim to improve collaboration and co-operation between countries to create an environment in which conservation initiatives and the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources can take place. The Maloti Drakensberg is already benefiting from this collaboration, of which the declaration of this park is only one small part.
For further information contact:
Duncan Heard, Protected Area Management Planning Facilitator, Maloti
Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (South Africa), Tel: +27 (0) 33 239 1888
, Cell: +27 (0) 82 495 3943, eMail: duncan@maloti.org
Paul Nkofu, Protected Area Management Planning Facilitator, Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (Lesotho), Tel: +266 22 312 662, Cell: +266 58 980 53943, eMail: mnkofu@maloti.org.ls
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE (3)
Twinstreams EE Centre
P.O. Box 83
Mtunzini 3867
Tel: (035) 3402511
Fax: (035) 3401039
E-mail: tstream@wessakzn.org.za
Website: www.wessa.org.za (national)
1. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FIELD OFFICER-
Minimum Requirements:
i) A valid driver’s licence
ii) A valid Senior Certificate
iii) Computer literacy (Microsoft Word)
iv) An outgoing, enthusiastic personality
v) Ability to impart environmental knowledge to groups of people
vi) Love of nature & care for the environment
vii) Ability to communicate fluently in English
Preference will be given to applicants who possess:
* a tertiary qualification with Geography and/ or Biology and/ or
Environmental subjects;
* experience in the field of environmental education
Salary package negotiable.
To assume duty: 1 September 2007
Fax (035- 340 1039)/ e-mail (tstream@wessakzn.org.za) a brief 2 page CV to:
THE CENTRE MANAGER, Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre
2. ADMINSTRATION ASSISTANT
Minimum Requirements:
i) A valid Senior Certificate
ii) Computer literacy (Microsoft Word & Microsoft Excel)
iii) Good organisational skills
iv) A confident, enthusiastic personality
v) Ability to impart information clearly
vi) Ability to communicate fluently in English
vii) Love of nature & care for the environment
Preference will be given to applicants who possess:
* a tertiary qualification with Computer and/ or Economics and/ or Business
subjects;
* experience as an administration assistant
Salary package negotiable.
To assume duty: 1 September 2007
Fax (035- 340 1039)/ e-mail (tstream@wessakzn.org.za) a brief 2 page CV to:
THE CENTRE MANAGER, Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre
Tailpiece-
A man decided to take a vacation. He booked himself on a Caribbean cruise
and proceeded to have the time of his life, that is, until the ship sank.
He found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing,
only bananas and coconuts.
After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day when the most
gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore. In disbelief, he asks,
"Where did you come from? How did you get here?
She replies, "I rowed from the other side of the island. I landed here when
my cruise ship sank."
"Amazing," he said. "You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with
you."
"Oh, this thing?" explains the woman. "I made the boat out of raw material
I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches, I wove
the bottom from palm branches and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus
tree."
"But, where did you get the tools?"
"Oh, that was no problem," replied the woman. "On the south side of the
island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found if I
fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into ductile iron. I
used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware."
The guy is stunned.
"Let's row over to my place," she says.
After a few minutes of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf. As the
man looks to shore, he nearly falls off the boat. Before him is a stone walk
leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman
ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare
ahead, dumb struck. As they walk into the house, she says casually, "It's
not much but I call it home. Sit down, please.
Would you like a drink?" No! No thank you," he blurts out, still dazed. "I
can't take another drop of coconut juice."
"It's not coconut juice," winks the woman. "I have a still. How would you
like a Pina Colada?"
Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts and they sit down
on her couch to talk. After they have exchanged their stories, the woman
announces, "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you
like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor in the bathroom cabinet."
No longer questioning anything, the man goes into the bathroom. There, in
the cabinet, a razor made from a piece of tortoise bone. Two shells honed to
a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism.
"This woman is amazing," he muses. "What next?"
When he returns, she greets him wearing nothing but vines, strategically
positioned, and smelling faintly of gardenias. She beckons for him to sit
down next to her.
"Tell me," she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, "We've been
out here for many months. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you
really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for?"
She stares into his eyes. He can't believe what he's hearing.
"You mean...", and he swallows excitedly and tears start to form in his
eyes.........
"Don't tell me you've got Supersport"
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za