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 website. 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.
Request
From: "Jose Miguel De pablo" bosgosu@yahoo.es
To: qwaqwanp@internext.co.za
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 5:10 PM
Subject: Information
Hi! I am a forest ranger in Catalonia (Spain). I am compiling information on the groups dedicated to looking after the environment. I am also collecting banners,
scutcheons and emblems from these groups, to make my collection bigger. Please send the information to the following address:
Cos d'Agents Rurals
Base Territorial del Baix Llobregat
Per. José Miquel de Pablo
C/ Lluís Pascual Roca, 8
08830 - St. Boi del Llobregat
Barcelona – Spain
Large Predator Workshops.
For your information, the large predator workshops have been cancelled. Minister van Schalkwyk has appointed an expert team to deal with the matter; I guess we will hear more about this in due course.
Used Body Armour
Dear All
I found your contact information at the International Ranger Federation website. I have a number of protective vests, used body armor (previously used by San Jose Park Rangers, now beyond manufacturer's expiration), that I am authorized to give to any Ranger Agency that can use them. Please have any interested parties contact me at roger.abe@sanjoseca.gov for further information.
Thank you
Roger Abe, Park Ranger, City of San Jose, California, USA.
Shock Report
A shock report on the state of South Africa's natural environment, released on Wednesday, states that over 80 percent of our rivers are in such a bad state they have been classified as "threatened". Of these, 44 percent are critically threatened.
Other findings are that 34 percent of South Africa's land ecosystems are threatened, so are three of the 13 groups of estuaries and 65 percent of marine biozones.
"The results are a warning to us all," Environment Affairs and Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Wednesday.
The report, the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, was compiled by the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria and was launched at Van Schalkwyk's pre-budget briefing in parliament on Wednesday.
He said the report, the first comprehensive evaluation of South Africa's natural environment, would enable the authorities to identify areas that needed protection most urgently.
"Perhaps more importantly, the report makes specific recommendations as to how to best link conservation with development in these threatened areas," Van Schalkwyk said.
Rivers were not only home to a large number of plant and animal species, but they provided the country's water, on which our economy and all life depended, the report said.
The poor state of 82 percent of our 120 rivers was not only a result of what happened on river banks, but also the result of how land was managed throughout the river catchment.
"Our river systems are in a much poorer state than our land ecosystems. This reflects that South Africa is a water-scarce country with multiple demands on limited water resources from urban settlements, agriculture and industry," the report said.
The fate of our freshwater therefore relied on managing land and water in an integrated way. Many of the country's 259 estuaries were also in a bad way, and only 14 are protected.
The number of protected estuaries should be increased.
The freshwater "reserve" - the amount of water needed in a river to enable it to function biologically - should be determined for those estuaries which were critically endangered.
Although the National Water Act of 1988 made provision for reserve determination, this had been done for only "a handful" of estuaries, the report said.
The state of the country's marine resources was not as bad as the rivers and estuaries, but worse than the state of land ecosystems.
Sixty-five percent of our 34 marine biozones were threatened, with 12 percent critically threatened.
Commercial and recreational fishing were by far the biggest pressure on the marine biozones. None of the marine biozones on the West Coast was protected, while those offshore were poorly protected.
If the marine environment was to be conserved, there was an urgent need to engage with commercial and recreational fishing sectors, the mining industry and the emerging mariculture industry.
The report is intended to inform policies, plans and day-to-day activities of public and private sectors.
Supplied by Elton le Roux, Southern Cape.
Calabash Programme Calabash Programme Publishes Handbook on Generic Public Participation (PP) Terms Reference for EIA and SEA
Dear Colleague,
As you may know, one of Calabash's main objectives is to increase the effectiveness and ability of civil society to participate in environmental decision-making. However, due to either a lack of capacity or information with a regulator or proponent, Public Participation programmes are sometimes not designed well enough to take advantage of the benefits that civil society engagement has to offer.
The latest output of Calabash hopes to address this in a practical way. The document is called: Research and Compilation of Public Participation Templates for Terms of Reference Related to Environmental Assessment and Public Participation (EA/PP) in the SADC Region.
This publication contains 3 generic Terms of Reference that can be used as a foundation for a public participation programme related to a point environmental assessment (e.g. mine, factory, refinery), a linear environmental assessment (e.g. roads, pipelines, power transmission cables), and a regional strategic environmental assessment (e.g. river basin management, regional land use planning, energy planning). Also included in the document are guidelines and tips on how to develop Terms of Reference that ensure that all contracting parties achieve maximum satisfaction and results throughout the duration of the relationship for a particular project.
With this information, regulators and proponents who are designing Public Participation programmes will be able to use the Terms of Reference templates to create a PP programme that suits their own respective needs, and at the same time respects contemporary public participation practice. This document is now on the Calabash web site which is at: http://www.saiea.com (Click on Calabash Project).
Calabash civil society capacity building tools previously developed and available on the Calabash web site include:
Future Calabash activities include the following projects. An Opportunities for Civil Society Participation handbook for the SADC region is also in the works which will identify the rights and opportunities communities have to participate as conferred by regional, national and international environmental laws, policies and conventions. This output will be ready i about 2 weeks. As well, Calabash is developing a wall poster in cooperation with the Centre for Public Participation, Durban, which will be ready or distribution in 4 weeks. Finally, Calabash is hosting a 2 day civil society engagement/environmental assessment pilot training course for 27 participants who have mainly come from the SADC region, but also other parts of Africa. After this course is delivered on May 24/25 In Windhoek, it will be fine-tuned for a possible more comprehensive offering later in 2005. The application of exclusivity, transparency and equity, through the public participation process of these projects, and respect for the public interest, has demonstrated that cooperative governance is possible, and can make a significant contribution to development planning, quality of life and project management. Should you now be in the process of planning, or involved in an initiative that needs a public participation program, these existing and planned Calabash tools will provide you with the current and effective resources to ensure that the project benefits have as far a reach as possible by respecting the environmental, social and economic aspects of project design.
I hope you find the Terms of Reference Handbook and other Calabash products of use and interest to you. Calabash products are also applicable to Poverty Reduction Strategies, national, regional and sectoral development strategies as well as natural resource management initiatives. If you have any questions at all about them, or the Calabash programme, I will be pleased to respond to them .
Yours sincerely,
Peter Croal, Program Manager, Calabash - Improving Civil Society Participation in Environmental Governance
Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment
P.O. Box 6322, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek, NAMIBIA
http://www.saiea.com (click on Calabash Project), Peter.croal@saiea.com
Tel: +264 61 220579, Fax: +264 61 279 897, Cell: 0812833403.
POSITION(s) SOUGHT
Hi
Can anyone help this park ranger.
From Leeza Axton (1 adult - Australia)
"im a park ranger in Australia and will be coming over to Africa in May and June this year. At the end of my trip I was hoping I could visit Kruger NP and visit with ranger staff there to see how they deal with issues in South Africa. I was wondering who to contact to find out if that is possible.
I would be looking at 1 - 4 July. I fly out of Joburg on the 6th. Any information you could get for me would be fabulous! Thanks."
Awaiting your earliest reply.
Kind regards
Julia Demaio
Travel Consultant
ecoAfrica Travel (Pty) Ltd.
Reg. 2002/023599/07
Stellenbosch, South Africa
www.ecoAfrica.com
+27 21 809 2180
+27 21 809 2189 (fax)
Young matric lady (Johannesburg based) requires a tourism position for a 40 hour (1 week) work experience. Anyone with such opportunity available please contact Rev. Paul Singleton singleton@zamail.co.za.
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Ranger exchange opportunity to Seychelles
Dear IRF
Having reviewed the forum facility to help ranger exchange, I feel it is a great opportunity for us to attract international rangers to Cousin Island Special Reserve in Seychelles. Cousin, which is self-funding through tourism, is managed by Nature Seychelles, a local NGO.
We are attempting to establish a regional ranger skills exchange programme in the Western Indian Ocean, but also for the wider international arena, currently centred in Seychelles.
Could you please post the job description and background to Cousin Island on the IRF web, or send out to member associations?
We offer a structured and fully-funded three month 'visiting warden' placements on Cousin, but we cannot normally provide airfare or personal insurance.
As the programme develops, we hope to bring in further national and international partners, and increase the scope and financing of the operation.
We are piloting the scheme this year, but we now have placements for rangers for 2006. Already we have visiting wardens from Tanzania, RSPB Scotland, and Australia involved. We would like one of the island staff to present the experiences of the programme at the Stirling conference next year also.
Thanks for your time,
James Hardcastle
Technical Advisor,
Nature Seychelles
The Centre for Environment and Education,
Roche Caiman, Mahe, Seychelles
Tel:+ 248 601100 / 601101
Fax: + 248 324137
email: james@nature.sc
web: www.nature.org.sc
"Nature Seychelles includes perhaps the world's best example of conservation
action coupled with sustainable local development."
Richard Thomas, Editor World Birdwatch, September 2004, 26.3, page 12
Cousin Island Special Reserve
Experience Exchange Program with other Protected Areas
Terms of Reference
Post Title: Visiting Warden, Cousin island (3 months maximum)
Responsible to: Reserve Manager
Immediate Supervisor: Assistant Reserve Manager
Living Allowance: SR. 2000.00/month (about USD. 400.00)
Other benefits: Housing and kitchen facilities, local transport, uniform (T. shirts and shorts), work permit, and logistical back-up
Not included: International air ticket or personal insurance
Job Description: Assist in implement the management plan including:
Work Site: Cousin Island. May be needed on another site.
Qualifications: Experience and skills are desirable in some of the following: conservation, boat handling, guiding, English and French, mechanics, carpentry, report writing, first aid, monitoring/field studies.
Other requirements: Has to be physically fit and used to outdoor work.
Has to possess ability to work in a team on a small, isolated island. Must have a flexible personality and ability to deal with a different culture.
Contact:
Chief Executive, Nature Seychelles, P.O.Box 1310, Mahe Seychelles. Email: nature@seychelles.net. Please send a letter of interest plus a CV.
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
To Whom it may concern
We are desperately seeking qualified, specialised Game Rangers for our reserve. Do you know if there are any educated sources where we can find someone?
I appreciate your help in this regard.
Sincerely
Sheila
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
WESSA Director of Conservation
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) invites applications for the post of NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION (designate).
The incumbent would be responsible for directing and co-ordinating WESSA's national conservation strategies and actions, and would report directly to WESSA's CEO.
Minimum requirements would be an appropriate 3 year tertiary qualification, with at least 5 years experience in a related field, two of which should have been in a senior position.
WESSA offers a competitive remuneration package with all the usual benefits.
The incumbent would be based at WESSA's national office in Howick, KwaZulu Natal.
Interested persons should email a detailed CV to WESSA's CEO at mjp@wessa.co.za by the end of April.
Malcolm Powell
Chief Executive Officer
WESSA
P O Box 394
Howick 3290
South Africa
ph. 27 (0) 33 3303931 fax. 27 (0) 33 3304576
Tailpiece-
This equation should be taught in all Business classes!
From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:
What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.
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