Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for both the Cleft Stick and to be posted on the web site. It is 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.
“GRAA Calendar – It’s time to give us your best shot!"
All members are requested to please contribute photographs for inclusion in a 2007 calendar.
The theme is to be Game Rangers and their work, including game capture,
patrolling, training, trailing, game, etc. Photographers will be given
credit for any/all pictures used. Please submit captions and name of
photographer with your best pic/s to Wayne Lotter (wayne.lotter@sappi.com) by 31 January 2006!
The best photos will be short-listed during February and the contributors notified of the outcome after the AGM in Namibia.”
AGM 2006
We have the offer of a 26 seater bus to take us to the AGM
The proposal is to leave JHB on 18/02 and return on 26/02/2006
The cost is R32 000.00 net. We are asked to provide the driver with meals and accommodation.
Please will interested parties who are prepared to contribute R1230.00 (plus the cost of the drivers board & lodging) per person indicate by replying to me by end of November so that we can confirm arrangements to dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
AGM Agenda Items
GAME RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBER/S
Dear Member.
In terms of the constitution of the GRAA, the Association is governed by a Committee of a maximum of 10 elected Professional members, plus Regional Chairs, who have an automatic seat on the Committee.
In terms of the constitution at least half of the elected Committee Members must resign each year, and any Committee Member who has served his/her two year term must resign. Committee Members who resign may be nominated for re-election.
The current Committee consists of the following members;
Tim Snow (Chair) - retires.
David Zeller - retires.
Wayne Lotter - retires.
Arrie Schreiber - retires.
Peter Coulon - retires
Andre Botha second term.
Drummond Densham second term.
Nicholas Funda second term.
Marius Fuls. second term.
Jeremy Anderson second term.
Johann Oelofse second term.
As you can see, there is room for some "new blood" on the Committee, or even the return of some of the old stalwarts onto the Committee.
The Committee work extremely hard on behalf of the Association and its
members, and cannot be expected to carry this load indefinitely. The GRAA has grown tremendously over the last few years and is at last becoming recognised as a professional body.
There is still much to do, but the circumstances are ripe for the GRAA to take bold steps forward in 2006, to the benefit of the Association and its members. Let us see some "new blood" on the Committee to sustain the momentum and energy, which has brought the GRAA so far.
Now is not the time to ask "what can the GRAA do for me" but rather "what can I do for the GRAA". Stand up and be counted - make a difference!
Please use the attached nomination form.
GAME RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA
In terms of the constitution any nomination for Committee Member must reach the office of the Association no later than 14 (fourteen) days before the Annual General Meeting.
Kindly submit your nomination to Don Yunnie before 24 January 2006 at:
If you are going to do your nomination by e-mail, please get the person
being nominated to confirm he is willing to stand. A separate e-mail from him to me will be fine.
Email: dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
Fax & phone: (033) 343 1534
Mail: 7 Chalet Drive
Hilton
3245.
NOMINATION FOR GRAA COMMITTEE MEMBER 2006 - 2007
I do hereby propose;
(full name)
being a Professional Member of the GRAA, to serve on the Committee of the GRAA.
This nomination is proposed by
(full name)
being a Professional Member of the GRAA.
The nominee accepts this nomination and undertakes to serve the Association in the capacity of Committee Member for a period of 2 (two) years without remuneration.
Signature of Nominee:
Signed at.......................this...........day of........2005.
Signature of Proposer:
Signed at.....................this............day of.........2005.
Have you any items that you wish discussed at the AGM? What issues have been bugging you? Are your committee doing anything right? – ‘be nice to tell them!
Please let me have the topic to be included in the final agenda, and a
little background so that whoever will discuss the topic is informed.
If you are not attending then please supply more detail so the item can be discussed in your absence?
There will be the normal standing items such as Legal & Constitution,
Finance, Membership, Nominations, etc. See you there!
Please let me have your items by mid January (2006)
dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
Ta
Don
Human-Wildlife conflict in Mozambique
Many of us think of Mozambique with little wildlife left and no significant management issues. What is steadily becoming apparent is that we don’t know much about the distribution and numbers of game in the country and as people spread out and start new Machambas the incidents of human-wildlife conflict have escalated. So much so, that when people in some districts have been asked for their taxes they have suggested that these are paid by the elephants.
Some idea of the scale of the problem is that over a period of 18 months, between 2001 and 2002, lions killed 70 people in Cabo Delgado province.
Last year, it was only 15. Most of these were people out at night protecting their crops from elephant.
In terms of overall numbers, crocs are responsible for most deaths.
Many croc deaths are not reported, simply because of the logistics involved for many people in getting to a government office. A rough estimate would be around 300 people a year nationwide. Last year, in Mutarara district on the north bank of the Zambesi, 30 people were taken. Probably a similar number were taken on the south bank.
Elephant damage has not been quantified and there are no good figures for elephant numbers. What is evident is that there are resident elephant populations more than 100 km from the nearest protected area. The densities are low, but the area that they occupy is vaste and at conservative guess is that there are at least 25,000 in the country.
Although there are only about 150 elephant in the Limpopo National Park, there are already problems outside the park on the east bank of the Limpopo. The river is no barrier and irrigated maize in August is irresistible.
What is interesting is the size distribution of tusks of elephant shot on problem animal control. During the last year there were a number over 40 lbs a side and a couple over 70 lbs a side. This could be interpreted that the illegal hunting that has taken place has not been so heavy that it has depressed the average tusk weight. (A bull taken by a safari client in August this year had a single tusk weighing 115 lbs)
Buffalo present possibly the biggest threat to the economy of the country.
There is no fence between the Limpopo National Park and the communal areas and although there are very few buffalo in the park at present there are already serious problems. This year 228 head of cattle have died from Theileriosis in the communal lands. The buffalo in Kruger have a high rate of Bovine tuberculosis infection and it may just be a question of time before the cattle bordering the park become infected. So far there has been no outbreak of Foot & Mouth, but if Mozambique want to export unprocessed agricultural crops they will have to develop a buffalo policy similar to that in SA, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
It is very clear that the idea of not fencing the park will have to be reviewed if the park is to keep a positive relationship with the neighbouring communities.
What the next steps for the government will be are develop that land-use plans that include the sustainable utilization of wildlife where this makes economic sense and to increase the value of wildlife to communities.
In addition to this they will improve their capacity to manage wildlife
conflict issues.
Also very encouraging was that during the assignment, I came across a couple of people who were adamant that they had found evidence of black rhino.
One involved a sighting of a cow and calf, the others were of spoor of single animals. It is hoped that some day the funds can be found to check these out and if they turn out to be fact, then to locate the animals into a secure area.
Development on Protected areas;
The ramblings of an old gitt
Please print in the cleft stick, I would like to know what other rangers feelings are on the subject. I am probably wasting my breath and your time, because, irrespective of what you or I think, it most likely won’t make any difference.
"I think I must be going insane, or I already have. I have been working my butt off all my life to protect the last remaining vestiges of natural areas, and now the powers that be are planning lodges, hotels, 40 year concessions, push more people through, in the "cherry spots" of these areas all because "if conservation doesn't pay, its doomed".
I don't agree with it at all. And I don't think I am the only one. I wouldn't mind finding out from the younger bunch how you feel. This is my argument.
CapeNature (previously Cape Nature Conservation, and numerous other names) is planning to build a lodge on the eastern section of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, at Witklip, and concession out Koppie Alleen and the tourist accommodation. They are also planning to develop a second whale trail.
Their reason is that the present whale trail has been a great success and they need to generate a profit from the reserve. For their development they have already received R10 million from the poverty relief fund. They have only now started their public participation process, well after their commitment to the project.
There has been no public involvement in drawing up the management plan of the reserve. Sanparks is planning a new tourist camp at Pietie se Punt on the coast in the Agulhus National Park. It will cost R8.8
million. Because this area is the oldest settled area after the Cape, some of the farms they have bought date back to 1727 with the appropriate farmsteads. Beautiful old thatch roofed stone buildings. There are beautiful buildings on De Hoop reserve too.
Melkkammer for example has had millions spent on it over the last 15 Years and has not turned over one cent.
Similar examples can be found in all provinces under all conservation
organisations. The concessions in Kruger, the lodge in Songemvelo, etc. etc.
I will stick to the De Hoop scenario. Firstly, I feel that their
calculations are flawed. They have not calculated in the initial set-up
costs of the trail, roads and trail huts. They also have not maintained the foot path, roads, huts, water infrastructure to an acceptable standard.
They have not taken into account the costs of repairing and maintaining the roads. The have solely looked at the income generated from bookings and the costs of employing staff to manage the day to day stuff. Of course they will show a profit if all costs aren't taken into consideration. They see the money from poverty relief as a bonus, a gift, it does not have to be included in determining profits. They do not see it as tax payers money.
Secondly, if the trail were not there, there would be no need for the
standard of road now required as the only vehicles using the road would be management vehicles. Less impact less maintenance less expense. What seems to be happening now is that management staff, vehicles and budget is used to service the infrastructure to ensure the continued functioning of the tourist facilities. It would seem that this is generic throughout organisations that have gone this route. Management, which it supposed to benefit out of the development, actually looses out and money for conservation is spent ensuring the tourist facility remains functional.
Thirdly, the effects on the environment are irreparable. In the case of De Hoop, the service road is routed down a valley which is the interface between table mountain sandstone and limestone's. The vegetation and processes are unique, rare, endangered and all those things we hold in high regard as conservationists. Fynbos is very sensitive to soil acidity and disturbance. De Hoop repaired this road with gravel from Enon Conglomerates brought in from a fynbos remnant outside the reserve. Wrong pH, no impact assessment on the effects of the gravel on adjoining vegetation, no impact assessment on the fynbos fragment, no registration of the mining activity with the district municipality. All of that gravel was washed into the veld during a major flood in April and the road has to be resurfaced again. These costs were not taken off the income generated by the trail.
Fourthly, the present tourist facilities are being/have been sold to a
concessionaire for R30 million for the next 42 years. He will want to
develop them, especially Koppie Alleen, a magnificent spot, the best land based whale watching site in South Africa. Apparently the concessionaire will develop a hotel/lodge here and wants exclusivity. R30 Million. This is nearly half of Cape Natures budget of R68 million. R30 million will therefore be spent in 6 months. The budget of Cape Nature is spent as follows = About 70% on salaries of which 65% is spent on salaries of the upper echelons and their support staff. The CEO was paid close to a million a year. A small % will come back to management, yes, but this will be spent on maintaining the tourist infrastructure. This in my view is a very small return for a long commitment. Where is the conservation value of maintaining
opportunities for this generation and the next gone to?
Fifthly, the local community has workable suggestions and are prepared to commit to seeing them through in so far as the utilisation of the existing facilities on De Hoop are concerned for tourism. Their ideas come from local successful experience. They include BEE and ownership and profit sharing. They include accommodation outside of reserve boundaries and peripheral development and profit sharing. In my view, they are far less impacting on the environment, they are sustainable and they give ownership to the community which will ensure the continued conservation within the protected area.
It is the trend today for bright boys in academia and head offices to come up with new hypothesis and to prove them on paper. A lot of the old proven stuff is just thrown out because it is old and belongs to the previous regime. Forget about whether the new idea has a track record or is proven in the field or not. The old boys experience is not heeded, because of the same reason. The new idea is implemented and when it doesn't quite work, the implementing body states its "because of the budget you know". All sorts of excuses are made, and at the end of the day, local community attitude is adversely effected, and conservation areas suffer irrevocably. Take for example the amount of new roads for the concessions in Kruger and the area they cover and their effect they have on carrying capacity, fire, game movement, gate closing times etc. Not to mention the off road driving that the jeep jocks do. When you fly in to the lowveld, which I have been doing
every year for a while, the increase in roads and tracks seen from the air is frightening To get back to the bright boys, one gets the feeling that all they are really interested in is coming up with an idea more daring than the last, and building a monument to themselves. So, their first mistake, in my mind is that they created the idea that because the departments had become Boards, a board is a private entity, and therefore has to make money, therefore conservation must be turned into a business, and if it cannot make money, well close it, sell it, see if you can't find some other sucker to manage it, or build a hotel on it. It does not seem as if the old devotion, dedication, ethics, being part of the local community, and honour comes into the equation.
I have battled all my career to envisage what habitats looked like 300 years ago and what they will look like in another 100, so that I can make decisions which will not adversely affect this generation or the next.
I don't think I've cracked it, but I have worked out that if you take all information available to you into consideration, such as population growth, cultural changes, attitudes of lawlessness, weather change, more aggressive agriculture etc you must err on the conservative side when making decisions that will have long term affects on habitat. I have come to the conclusion that head office has not got the capability of imagining the impact their management decisions will have in the long term. And you know what? I thought we were managing our protected areas for the long term.
It seems, however, that the new bunch of bosses are only thinking in the short term. Get the hotel up in my 5 year term of office and "there, I have my monument, I can put it in my CV, and move on to a job paying more".
Very mercenary.
You know, they also think we are thick. They say that the lodge at Witklip will employ 48 people, they will form a trust and the previously disadvantaged will have ownership. They still want a private partnership to come in to supply about another R20 million. If I had R30 million, I would invest it into business property which gives me a return of 15%. 15% of 30 million is 4.5 million. With R4.5 million I can employ 75 people and pay them R5000.00 a month, just on the interest. The same chain of thought can be applied to the poverty relief money these organisations have already got.
So, without building hotels in the reserve, enough money can be generated in other ways to pay reserve staff.
AAAH well, maybe I'm just an old git. My time is past, and the new
generation need to make their mark. Our marks were obviously not good enough to build on. The soliciting and protecting of areas for conservation alone was obviously not enough. I wonder what this generation would have done if we had of built the hotels? I suppose put in casino's and fun parks.
Sad when there is so much development around protected areas that the
organisations charged with the protection of natural areas must develop
these too. Sort of makes one think "Well, who do I trust to look after my natural heritage now?".
SANParks Commercialisation Programme
a worse Failure than predicted. 09
October 2005 04:23
On September 26, 2005, the following report was published in THE HERALD:
“SANParks money scheme not scoring yet
CAPE TOWN – South African National Parks’ commercialization strategy, which has seen the establishment of about a dozen private concessions – mainly lodges – at parks around the country, is not proving the conservation money-spinner it was hoped it might be.
In its annual report for the 2004/05 financial year, tabled in Parliament, SANParks notes there has been “a considerable drop in (lodge) concession fees”. According to its financial statements, the fees collected have dropped by almost half – from R15,9-million in 2003/04, to R8,6-million last year. The report attributes this to “financial constraints experienced by the concessionaires”, which led to a change to their contracts and the cancellation of certain fixed concession fee commitments.
“A relief mechanism was implemented during the year. The fixed concession fees were dropped to provide flexibility to the concessionaires, enabling them to adapt to fluctuating market conditions. “While this has led to a considerable drop in the income for 2005, it is anticipated that the benefits for SANParks in the long term will surpass the initial decline concession fees,” the report states.
When concessions were first granted to private operators, allowing them to build and operate tourism facilities within national parks, SANParks’ stated intention was to generate additional revenue for conservation.
According to the report, it appears the private lodges now brought in less last year than did SANParks’ trails and game drives, which contributed R12,6-million and R14,8-million respectively towards turnover. – Sapa”
Furthermore, the annual report of South African National Parks (SANParks) that: It has been four years since SANParks awarded the concession at 12 sites - as well as at 19 shops, 17 restaurants and four picnic sites - to private operations in return for a payment of concession fees and rentals.
The largest drop in income was from Singita Lebombo at the Kruger National Park where income dropped from 7.1 million rand to 1.8 million rand between 2003/04 and 2004/05. Executive salaries and benefits amounted to just over nine million rand for 13 staff members.
According to an article in BUSINESS DAY on 7 October 2005 titled “Heftiest visitors to Hermanus lure millions more as whale-watching adds weight to SA’ s tourism boom”..... “A record 6,7-million tourists spent R47,8bn on lodging, food and safaris in SA in the last year.” This suggests that something does not add up with regard to the alleged reasons (of it being primarily due to fluctuating market conditions, the strength of the SA Rand, a drop in international tourism) given why the SANParks’ commercialization programme is failing financially!
The financial failure has been even more rapid and worse than we predicted on SAWilderness at the outset of the SANParks commercialization programme, when we were very rudely and disdainfully criticized by the promoters of the programme for even suggesting that they had not done their homework properly in terms of market feasibility studies.
Nonetheless, even if the programme had delivered what they promised it would, it would still not have been worth the costs it inflicts in terms of permanent environmental impacts!
Ironically, the biggest bone of contention in terms of unacceptable
environmental impacts – Singita Lebombo in the KNP - has been the worst
financial failure. This concession, which is situated approximately 70km from the nearest gate (with after hours traffic allowed between it and Orpen) and which has its own private airstrip outside Satara and allows off-road driving and has been allowed to construct approximately 120km of road through what was previously virgin bush etc. etc., was supposed to be the number 1 cash cow!
In the “Report of the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on Oversight visit to the Kruger National Park, dated 6 September 2005”, it is openly acknowledged that the outsourcing of sources, lengthy contractual periods and exorbitant prices are shortcomings that need to be addressed by the management of SANParks.
One would hope that the management of SANPark’s and most other stakeholders who have silently observed or even openly condoned the foolish, greedy, irresponsible and/or ignorant actions that have resulted in significant (and in cases irreversible) damage to some of our most valuable natural assets in the name of ‘conservation’, would have learnt enough to avoid repeating similar errors in future!
However, it would probably be wishful thinking to think so. As if enough isn’t enough, how many people are aware of the number of new private tented camps have been constructed in the Kruger Park over the last 18 months (without Environmental Impact Assessments or any public consultation), or are aware that hunting is now being seriously
contemplated as a new and additional ‘low impact’ magic money spinner within South Africa’s National Parks? More! More! More! Will we never learn?
Yours in conservation,
James Hamilton
Wilderness – “If it doesn’t stay, our kids will pay!”
To Join or Leave SAWilderness contact wild@geasphere.co.za For more information visit www.geasphere.co.za/sawilderness/
VEHICLE FOR SALE
1996 Toyota Hilux Single Cab 2.8 Diesel Turbo.
This is a full off-road vehicle with the following specs:
· Old-Man Emu Suspension;
· Air conditioner;
· Oil Cooler:
· Ceramic-compound pistons:
· Duel Charging system with extra battery accessories box in bin;
· Full width metal storage box in bin;
· Bull Bar and Roll Bar;
· Strengthened Canopy;
· Fully rubberised bin;
· 4 new tyres;
· White in colour
· 222 000km on the clock
R90 000.00 ONCO
Contact Nick @ 072 499 0520 or 033 330 5175
“Zen & Now” - Decking and Ethnic-décor Specialists Nick and Janine Tredger of Zen & Now (27 years in the Conservation Industry)
have a well-established service that we offer to the industry in the
following disciplines:
· Wooden decking, walkways, hides, pergolas etc., constructed under direct supervision. Experts in decking re-furbishing using the best sealants for longer life and easier maintenance. Many references available, and a portfolio of completed projects.
· We also consult on “Africa-ethnic” Décor, for lodges, bush camps and private homes. Specialists in harmonising the interior/exterior flow of theme, colour, texture and ‘Bush Chi’. A huge reference library assists us with the client’s choices and themes.
Contact us for quotations on 072 499 0520 or 033 330 5175
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
TWO VACANCIES: RESEARCH ASSISTANT AND ASSISTANT EXPEDITION LEADER
Introduction
Global Vision International (GVI) is a non-political and non-religious organisation, which specializes in helping conservation initiatives while providing travel and voluntary work experience opportunities for overseas volunteers. GVI has repeatably been recognised as one of the leading and most professional supporters of international volunteer projects in the world. GVI seeks to recruit a full-time Researcher to join the management team of their predator projects
The current project on Karongwe Game Reserve (formerly named Edeni), focuses on studying the reintroduction and subsequent impact on the reserve of large predators and Elephant. The ultimate objective is to develop practical recommendations on more effective game management for implementation on Karongwe and other small reserves. Study species include Lion, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, and Cheetah with a particular focus on feeding ecology and intra-guild competition. Research methodology employs the use of telemetry, GPS, observation, game counts and vegetation transects. The research is supported by dedicated international volunteers.
The position also offers potential opportunities within one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world and with as many as 40 projects all around the world. Please look at the GVI website for more information on the organisation www.gvi.co.uk
Positions available:
· Research Assistant- Karongwe Wildlife Research Expedition
· Assistant Expedition Leader- Karongwe Wildlife Research Expedition
Reporting to: Peter Bradford, Expedition Manager based at Karongwe Game Reserve Sophie Greatwood, Director of Operations,: Africa
Qualifications required:
· Preferably BSc degree in Zoology or similar natural science
· Valid driver’s license with Professional Driving Permit
· FGASA Trails Guide theory
· Advanced Weapons Handling and other ‘Big 5’ guiding units as approved by THETA
· Valid First Aid Certificate
If candidates do not have some of the qualifications above, positions will be offered on condition that they have acquired them at their own expense by the start date or soon after. We can facilitate use of rifles, vehicles etc.
Other skills/ experience required:
· Minimum one years guiding experience preferably in a ‘big 5’ area
· Interest and experience in wildlife research prefered
· 4X4 and off-road driving experience
· Ability to work in a team environment where both team and own
responsibilities must be carried out
· Computer literacy and competence with the following programmes: Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and preference given to candidates with experience of Arcview (GIS) as well
· Passion for the fauna and flora of the Lowveld region
· Excellent command of English and ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds (our volunteer research assistants)
· Pro-activity, self-motivation, flexibility and excellent people skills are essential as are the preparedness to work flexible hours and operate happily and effectively within a communal living environment.
Duties:
· Conducting twice daily research drives tracking mainly predators using telemetry equipment and then recording any relevant data or behaviour by those focus animals. These drives are with our volunteers who all have duties to do each day
· Training overseas volunteers both in the form of lectures at the start of each expedition and ongoing training in-field throughout the rest of the period
· Ensuring the health and safety of our volunteers in every aspect of the day to day expedition life, both in-field and at the base
· Other duties to do with the running of the research base in a day to day sense (eg maintenance, household) to be discussed during training and orientation period, and dependent on the specific skills/ aptitude of the candidate
NOTE: These Qualifications, Skills and Experience, as well as the duties to be carried out apply to both positions, however the Assistant expedition Leader would be required to perform additional duties such as base and staff management, timetabling of base activities, maintaining team morale, admin and accounts, public relations on the reserve, attending a variety of meetings in the area etc. He/ she would therefore need relevant management experience in this regard.
Location:
Karongwe Game reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa. Karongwe Game Reserve covers 9,000 Ha of mixed Bushwillow and riverine bushveld located 80km from Hoedspruit on the Tzaneen Road.
Conditions:
All food, accommodation, equipment and essential transport provided plus competitive salary and flight contribution after one years employment. Own insurance has to be provided. Hours are long, with a day and a half off per week, and a minimum of 4 weeks per year holiday. Conditions are basic but comfortable. The diet is healthy and staff, are expected to join Expedition Members in camp duties such as cooking, base cleaning, maintenance of base
Salary etc:
· Research assistant - R3300 during probation period
· Asst. Expedition Leader -. R4200 during probation
· Food and accommodation are provided at the base
· Five-day working week but this is subject to change and flexibility from both GVI and the employee. A minimum of 4 weeks off annually
· The base is situated in a stunning part of the lowveld with regular and spectacular game viewing from the base. The work environment is vibrant, young, passionate about what we do, and generally relaxed, with a good social life on the reserve
Starting Date: Preferably Mid November for induction, to be fully operational by mid December
APPLICATIONS TO:
Peter Bradford
Global Vision International
Expedition Leader (Karongwe)
edeni@gvi.co.uk
+27 84 3166525
Call for Applications: 2006 BP Conservation Programme Awards
FUNDING AVAILABLE WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, DEADLINE – 16th DECEMBER 2006
E-mail applications and enquiries to:
bp-conservation-programme@birdlife.org.uk; for more information about the
programme, visit: http://conservation.bp.com.
The aim of BP Conservation Programme Awards is to contribute to long-term
environmental conservation and sustainable development in priority areas by
encouraging and engaging potential leaders in biodiversity conservation, and
providing opportunities for them to gain practical skills and experience.
This initiative, organised by BirdLife International, Conservation
International, Fauna & Flora International, the Wildlife Conservation
Society and BP, has been helping young conservationists across the world to
achieve their goals for the past 15 years.
The Programme currently works
towards its aims by offering advice, training and awards, primarily
targeting university students.
This year we have a new application procedure, as well as new criteria.
The
Programme has been working to develop an even stronger programme to align
with our goal to build leadership capacity for sustainable development
across the world, with 2006 serving as a transition year.
We are testing
some new approaches and procedures in order to increase efficiency and
maintain good quality support for those applying and winning awards.
Three types of awards will be offered in 2006:
· Future Conservationist Awards: Approximately 20 awards of up to $12,500
each, plus training.
· Conservation Follow-up Awards: Approximately 5 awards of up to $25,000
each, plus training. Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
· Conservation Leadership Awards: 2 awards of $50,000 each, plus training.
Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
These three tiers allow progression from encouraging and supporting
inexperienced teams undertaking small-scale, basic surveying and
awareness-raising projects, to the stage where teams are engaging in more
complex decision-making, and developing stronger communication and
leadership skills.
The application deadline is 16th December 2005 for ALL applications, and
awards will be announced mid-March 2006. All details, including new
guidelines and application forms, are now available on the BPCP website!
Tailpiece-
Hai Pa !
A Boer seun and his Pa were in a mall. As they were from out of town they were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again. The boy asked, "What is this Pa?"
The father (never having seen an elevator/lift) responded, "Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don't know what it is."
While the boy and his Pa were watching with amazement, a fat, old lady in a wheel chair moved up to the moving walls and pressed a button.
The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room.
The walls closed and the boy and his Pa watched the small circular numbers above the walls light up sequentially. They continued to watch until it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up again and a gorgeous 24-year-old blonde stepped out.
The father said quietly to his son.
"Gaan haal jou Ma."
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
