GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Environmental Forum’s (GREF) annual feedback session was opened this morning, Wednesday 13 December, by Garden Route Mayor Memory Booysen.
The event is being held at Fairy Knowe Hotel in Wilderness and this morning’s speakers include local environmentalist Mike von der Heyde who has elaborated on the SaveWild initiative in Wilderness that is aimed at enhancing conservation efforts in the area.
It acts as a forum for collecting and spreading information and awareness of the area’s biodiversity.
Prof Stephanie Midgley, specialist scientist for climate change, research and technology development services in the Western Cape Agriculture Department, spoke on new partnerships the department is forging for opportunities in climate change research, capacity building and adaptive practices.
Well-known local environmental lobbyist Dr Arne Witt also highlighted some concerning issues in our region. Witt is the regional (Africa, Asia and Caribbean) invasive alien species coordinator for Cabi (the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International).
A critical issue is the severe impact of invasive species on mountain catchments and rivers, while funding is either not available or extremely limited for eradication on both private and public land.
Rivers are also impacted by the dire state of sewerage management systems countrywide, according to Cobus Meiring, who heads the Environmental Forum.
Among the various topics to be covered during the rest of the day are a feedback session on elephant research by Ryan Davy, a look at conservation value areas in forestry by Heine Muller from PG Bison, and the state of rehabilitation of former plantation areas by Johan Baard, a scientist of SANParks.
Delegates at the GREF feedback meeting that is being held at the Fairy Knowe Hotel. Photos: Alida de Beer
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