News
NATURE RESERVES FUTURE ASSURED
Two nature reserves brought into existence by an association of environmentally-conscious wind farms now have their future assured. The final documents have been signed off by the MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism in the Eastern Cape and the reserves will remain in perpetuity to protect the unique and precious biodiversity of the Kouga district.
WIND POWER IN HARMONY WITH BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Eastern Cape, September 2022 Speaking to Wentzel Coetzer, Biodiversity Stewardship Facilitator for the Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS) and Maggie Langlands, from the Kromme Enviro-Trust, it is clear that the synergy between wind power production and the preservation of local biodiversity is paramount.
WIND POWER IMPLEMENTS MITIGATION MEASURES TO CONSERVE BIRD LIFE
Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is set to commence its second bird conservation trial following a successful pilot study last year. Known as a Shut Down on Demand programme (SDOD) programme, it is aimed at mitigating loss of priority bird species on the wind farm.
GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
As we become more aware of the importance of reshaping the way that the world does business and the fact that sustainability is essential and no longer optional, the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is establishing its place at the top of the investor and regulatory agenda. Furthermore, investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities,
BIODIVERSITY MITIGATING MEASURES ARE SAVING BATS
Working in collaboration with local wind farms, the Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS) initiative, which focuses on conservation in the Kouga region, has noted the positive strides being made by some of the wind farms with regard to creating no net loss to biodiversity from their operations. Through the installation of acoustic deterrent devices on selected turbines, two wind farms in particular are seeing significantly reduced bat fatalities.
COLLABORATION YIELDS CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS
Since its inception six years ago, the Greater Kromme Stewardship initiative has been widely recognised for securing more priority land for conservation in the Kouga region than any other independent conservation body in the last fifty years. The organisation is a partnership of five local wind farms, who are its funders, and an environmentalist NGO.
Declaration of two new Protected Areas
Two new Protected Areas were recently declared through the Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS) initiative in partnership with the WWF Table Mountain Fund, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency and numerous private landowners.
Eastern Cape Biodiversity Stewardship Forum 2019
The GKS project team attended the EC Biodiversity Stewardship Forum that was held in Cape St Francis on 28 February 2019. The theme of this year's forum was "Capacitating Biodiversity Stewardship in the Eastern Cape". We delivered a presentation at the Forum to show how Biodiversity Stewardship is supported by the GKS project
Wildlife monitoring on Protected Areas using camera-traps
The GKS initiative acquired a number of camera-traps with funding received from the WWF Table Mountain Fund. The camera-traps are being used to monitor wildlife on some of the new Nature Reserves that have been declared through the GKS initiative. Wildlife monitoring is an important part of managing Protected Areas, since it generates information that can be used to inform management decisions.
The Greater Kromme Stewardship initiative achieves an exciting milestone!!
The Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS) initiative has achieved a very exciting milestone: the first two Protected Areas were recently declared through the GKS initiative, namely the Kromensee Nature Reserve and the Sand River Private Nature Reserve.
Biodiversity Assessments for new sites
January to March are great periods for getting biodiversity assessments done on Stewardship sites just before the growing season ends. The Custodian of Rare and Endangered Wildflower (CREW), the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agent (ECPTA), the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) joined the Greater Kromme Stewardship initiative team to conduct biodiversity assessments
ECPTA Biodiversity Stewardship Forum
Towards the end of February 2018, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) hosted the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Stewardship Forum at Luchaba Nature Reserve near Mthatha.
Camera Traps Set
The camera traps that were recently acquired for the GKS project are set. Exciting stuff! A big thanks to the Table Mountain Fund who made this possible.
Trace and save
Effective biodiversity management contributes to agricultural production. This is a very informative article, especially for those farmers who are aiming for more sustainable production.
Oubos-Grootrivier Nature Reserve site
We met with the management committee of the proposed Oubos-Grootrivier Nature Reserve over the weekend to discuss the development of a reserve management plan for the site.
Contact
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact:Wentzel Coetzer - Biodiversity Stewardship Facilitator
+27 72 534 5914
[email protected]
