World Wetlands Day -- South Africa

Klip river Wetlands, Johannesburg

On February 1^st, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Gauteng Agriculture, Conservation and Environment MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu and Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo will welcome guests to a celebration at the Hall of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto, and afterwards join a field trip into the Klip wetlands. The national event focuses on the Klip River because of the crucial role its extensive peat beds play in purifying Johannesburg's waste water, controlling pollution, supporting biodiversity, and providing green space in a dense urban area.The celebration will draw attention to the value of the wetlands and the consequences of their ongoing degradation, as well as the rehabilitation work being undertaken.

On the day before, January 31^st, a group of about 100 decision makers will undertake a technical exploration of the Klip wetlands to see first hand what the damage is and what is needed to protect the system.

wetlands@sanbi.org

World Wetlands Day Teacher's Pack

Share-Net has compiled a World Wetlands Day pack that includes the Stream and pond life, Wetlands and people, and How wet is a wetland? booklets, the Water is life! teacher's guide, a Swap starter kit (water testing kit), a mini-sass sheet and selected Envirofacts.

Cost : R65
Clare Peddie
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
033-3303931 / sharenet@wessa.co.za

Eastern Cape Provincial Event

On February 1^st a celebration will be held for diginitaries, community members and school groups at Matatiele near Kokstad at 10h00.

Eric Qonya
043-7420340 / 083-7622723

Limpopo Provincial Event

The Limpopo provincial celebrations will be held on February 6th in the Makuleke area, close to South Africa's newest Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. A second event will be held on February 21st in the Mopani District.

Collin Nemadodzi
083-3894612 / nemadodzi@sanbi.org

KwaZulu-Natal Ministerial Event

A celebration will be held on 19th February 2008 in the KwaNdaba Area, Ntabamhlophe, hosted by the Imbabazane Local Municipality (Uthukela District)

Xolani Madlala
082-0450438

A second KwaZulu-Natal Ministerial event will be held on a date to be confirmed in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality

Selwyn Jacobs
082-4144175

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs

A celebration will be held on 12th February 2008 in Ulundi

Lungi Mayisela
082-8348315
Asia Khan
031-3022800

Mpumalanga Provincial Celebration

The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture & Land Administration, and the Umjindi Local Municipality are holding a celebration on February 5th at the Amon Nkosi Primary School at 09h30.

E. Langa
013-7123109

Mpumalanga

Several awareness campaigns have been planned across Mpumalanga around the towns of Barberton, Graskop, Lydenburg, Pilgrim's Rest, Tonga and Nelspruit. Please call to find out what's happening in your area.

Hein Geldenhuys
lenviro@telkomsa.net / 082-8988192

WfWet Duiwenhoks & Goukou Project

Working for Wetlands team members, led by the Hessequa Municipality in partnershipwith CapeNature and LandCare, will visit schools in the area to talk about the importance of wetlands and wetland rehabilitation. They may include site visits to the Goukou wetlands.

Vernon Gibbs-Halls
0726705108

WfWet Peninsula Project

Celebrations will be held at Blouvlei Primary school in Retreat, Cape Town on February 8th in partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.

Virgil Jacobs
074-3513216

Agulhas Wetlands

A celebration is planned for Friday, February 1st 2008, at the Bosheuwel educational centre. Guests include WfWet and CoastCare workers and SANParks honorary rangers.

Simone Koert
SimoneK@sanparks.org

Western Cape Wetlands Forum

In addition to general public awareness, the forum is sending happy wetlands day e-cards to decision makers in government, local municipalities and business. The message encourages thought about the impact on wetlands of decisions made in the course of business, development and planning.

www.wetlandsforum.blogspot.com

Friends of the Liesbeek

Interested people are invited to join the group on a walk and talk around the wetlands of the lower Liesbeek. On Friday 1st February, meet at 6pm on the Durban Road Bridge, Mowbray. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jersey. Dogs with poop scoops welcome. No charge.

Liz or Dave
021-6714553.

Rondevlei Nature Reserve

Grade 4-7 learners are invited to learn about Rondevlei Nature Reserve at Zeekoevlei. Groups will go on short walks to identify birds and animal spoor, and learn about the plants in the area. Bookings are essential. Cost : R2-00/learner, R6-00/adult

Monday, 4 February & Friday, 8 February
09h00-11h30 & 12h30-14h00
Bronwen Foster
021-7062404 / Bronwen.Foster@capetown.gov.za

Zandvlei Trust

The Metrorail Edutrain will be taking up to 100 children to Zandvlei every day to learn about the importance of wetlands. Schools were selected from across the Cape Flats from as far as Tulbach, Wellington, and Stellenbosch.

Gavin Lawson
021-705 5224 / glawson@xsinet.co.za

Keysers River Restoration Project

A poster display is being rotated amongst businesses in the light industrial area along the Keysers River to raise awareness and encourage participation in the Keyers river restoration project.

Mandy Noffke
021-7856871

Hekpoort wetland field trip

On Saturday February 2^nd the Harties Integrated Biological Remediation Programme of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry & Rand Water will lead a field trip through the Hekpoort wetland, about 15 km from the Hartebeespoort Dam.

Gill Ledger
082 772 5160 / ledger@global.co.za

City of Tshwane Celebration

On February 21st there will be a day of activities at the Olievenhoutbosch wetland, including alien plant eradication, SASS scoring and a clean-up. On February 2^nd a celebration will be held with speakers from various organisations.

Samke Chunda
samc2@tshwane.gov.za / 012-3580192

GEESE

Glen Cain Education and Environment Support Enthusiasts
Else River clean up, talk and walk on Saturday, February 2nd. At 9am meet outside the Sothern Right Hotel. Clean up of Else River which runs in front of the hotel. Paul Jaques will give a presentation about the old water mill at the hotel. Walk down from ruins of the old water mill to the sea through the Glencairn wetland.

Cilla Bromley
021-7826400 / cilla@bromley.co.za

Hout Bay Wetlands Projects

The Hout Bay Heritage Trust is launching three wetland restoration projects.
Linking Coastal Wetlands: Establishment of a corridor linking two rehabilitated wetlands within the coastal zone of Hout Bay.
Kronendal Project: Alien removal in Hout Bay wetland, aiming to ringbark and poison the gray poplar trees invading the western part of the wetland.
Good Hope Sub-Council Ward Project: Cleaning up of Hout Bay wetland with the aim of clearing rubble adjacent to the wetlands, maintaining the board walk and cutting alien Spanish reeds.

Justin O'Riain
021-6503645

Cape Town Youth Environmental School (YES)

The City of Cape Town will be hosting a Wetlands Awareness Programme in partnership with Metrorail's Edutrain, the Western Cape Education Department's Centre for Conservation Education, the Primary Science Programme (PSP), CapeNature and Century City Property Owners' Association.
Edutrain Programme: Learners from the Urban Renewal areas of Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha will be travelling on the Edutrain to Zandvlei Wetlands Reserve where they will be learning about the importance of wetlands.
City of Cape Town Nature Reserves Programme: Wetland education programmes will be held at several of the city's nature reserves.
Edith Stephens Wetland Park: A guide to environmental activities for learners , Learning about the environment at the Edith Stephens Wetland Park, will be launched on 1^st February at Edith Stephens Wetland Park. Learners will use some of the activities in the book during their lesson on the day.
Delft Wetlands Programme: CapeNature will be taking learners from Delft to the wetlands in their area to learn about the value of wetlands and why we should conserve them.
Centre for Conservation Education (CCE) Programme: Learners will explore the role of frogs in wetlands.
Intaka Island Century City Wetlands Programme: Learners will take a guided tour of the Intaka Island Wetlands. The island is an example of nature conservation and property development co-existing for mutual benefit.

Lindie Buirski
084-6299305