In the category for individuals, local environmentalist Ken Gie, was also recognised by Wessa for a whole range of environmental enhancing projects, which he either launched or is actively involved in.
He was praised for being George's environmental watchdog, a role involving rolling up his volunteer's sleeves and starting groups to ensure safe public access to the Garden Route Dam, good river water quality, eradicating persistent alien invasive plant problems, indigenous tree planting, initiating heron conservation, involving school children in projects and refusing to mince words when talking to government and developers. The Award was collected on Ken's behalf by Wessa's, Dr Steve du Toit.
Wessa Western Cape's 64th Annual Regional Meeting and Awards evening was held at Intaka Island Eco Centre, Century City, on Thursday 16 August. The annually presented Regional WESSA Awards attracted over 30 nominations this year, all of which were of an excellent standard, which made the selection process very difficult. The awards evening is held to recognise and honour individuals and groups who have made significant contribution to environmental conservation or environmental education in the Western Cape over the past year.
LOCAL HANDOVER
Dr Steve Du Toit on Monday handed over the certificates to Gie and the team of the Garden Route Botanical Garden who were each honoured in their own category. Dr Du Toit congratulated them saying it is all about individuals and groups who are helping to bring about a brighter future.
"These awards also serve to bring credibility to the Garden Route Botanical Garden. It is usually small groups of caring people and individuals who achieve magnificent things. For Wessa it is therefore all about highlighting and recognising their efforts." Garden Route Botanical Trust member Colin Ralston said it is projects such as the establishment of the Garden Route Botanical Gardens (which have existed over the past 19 years) and the individual efforts of Gie that enrich everybody's lives. "It is also directly the result of people pooling great ideas and then working together."
Gie said it is great to think that when you plant a tree, you will later see birds nesting in it and one day your children and grandchildren will reap the benefits thereof. Gie and his organisation Gardag, was the driving force behind security being introduced at the Garden Route dam so that residents could reclaim the town's green lung. He also established indigenous vegetation at the island in the middle of the dam, after eradicating the alien vegetation that thrived there. It is currently a fine outdoor education venue for schools and other groups.
He is involved in Friends of the George Crocodile Farm's (Frogh) efforts to protect the Heronry at the old farm where he built a platform for birds to nest after the last trees died. He is an energetic force behind Tannie Greta Gericke's campaign for establishing geraniums in the centre of town and has thrown his weight behind the Toll House project and other environmental activist groups. Both the nominations for the awards were put forward by George Herald's Pauline Lourens who has monitored the recipient's progress and sustained efforts over the past decades.
The staff, volunteers and trustee members of the garden have been recognised for their significant contribution towards the improvement of the quality of life of George. Handing over Wessa certificates is Dr Steve du Toit (left) of the George branch. With him is Garden Route Botanical Gardens representatives, Colin Ralston - Trustee member, Dayne de Wet - Curator, Kirstin Hook - administration and Trustee and Lorraine McGibbon. In front is Ken Gie who received the individual Wessa award for hav
