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Wetlands and Water “Water and Climate change”
National Water Week raises
awareness on the use,
management, conservation and
protection of water resources.
This year it will be celebrated under
the theme “Water and Climate
Change”, with strong emphasis on
an urgent need to strengthen water
security and establish access to a
sustainable water supply in the face
of changing climate conditions
worldwide. South Africa is identified
as a water scarce country, and it up
to all South Africans to help
conserve and protect the country's
water resources.
National Water Week serves as a
powerful campaign mechanism re-
iterating the value of water and the
need for sustainable management of
this scarce resource.
Wetlands are natures “sponge” they absorb rainfall,
purify and filter harmful waste and reduce flooding in
streams and rivers. They are critical for biodiversity,
essential for many amphibians and reptiles as well as
for bird breeding and migration.
Date : March 2020
Issue 4
World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally on
2 February every year. This annual event
focuses public attention on the importance of
water, one of South Africa's most limited
resources.
Live thrives in wetlands, less than 3% of the
world’s water is fresh, and most of that is
frozen. Yet every human requires 20-50 litres
of water per day for basic drinking, cooking
and cleaning.
Wetlands provide our water needs and help
replenish the groundwater aquifers - a body of
saturated rock through which water can easily
move. The rock must be permeable and
porous e.g. sandstone, and are an important
source of fresh water for humanity.
*Source: Ramsar : a global treaty - provides the framework for
national action and international cooperation for the conservation
and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Individual wetlands often hold
endemic species; forms of life
that unique to one particular
site. At the Bedford Wetland we
have the White-Winged Flufftail,
a critically endangered bird
which breeds in moist
grassland wetlands. The White-
winged Flufftail has been
recorded at the Bedford Wetland at Ingula.
The distinctive white feathers
giving rise to the name
‘White-winged Flufftail’ Continued……….
Wetlands and water continued
This awareness creation is coupled with the
responsibility that every citizen must take in
ensuring the integrity of our water resources
and its efficient use.
This is an important message the Ingula
Visitors Centre and the environmental team on
site took to the local primary schools to create
awareness of our wetlands and water and how
important it is to look after this precious
commodity.
Ingula team celebrates Wetlands and Water
week local school
On the 3rd March 2020 the Ingula team visited
Isiqophamithi Primary school to raise
awareness about wetlands and water
conservation. Ingula is home to the Bedford
Wetland situated on the upper site, a habitat
for critical species.
The day was filled with activities which
included a competition between learners using
their talents to showcase their knowledge
about wetlands and how water can be best
conserved, followed with videos and a
presentation.
It is essential to interact with the local
community starting with the schoolchildren so
we can instill a level of pride and the
importance of conserving the environment
around them.
SANParks Honorary Rangers Johannesburg Region hosts
two highly successful fundraisers at the Ingula Nature Reserve.
.
A total of 136 species were seen
over the two weekends (99 on the
first and 112 on the second) with
some of the special sightings
including Yellow-breasted Pipit, all
three Cranes, Southern Bald Ibis,
Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk,
Black Sparrowhawk, Ground
Woodpecker, Secretarybird, Black
Stork, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Cape
Vulture, Denham’s Bustard, and
Orange-breasted Waxbill.
The groups were guided by BirdLife
South Africa and the chairman of
the Ladysmith Birders, and BirdLife
South Africa donated a special
prize to be won through a
SANParks Honorary Rangers:
Johannesburg Region run raffle –
aiding in the fundraising for their
conservation efforts in SANParks.
The Bedford dam on the Ingula Nature Reserve, around
which most of the high-altitude grassland specials can be
seen. Photo: C Coetzer.
As a volunteer conservation organisation,
the SANParks Honorary Rangers organise
various birding weekends around the
country and channels the proceeds into
conservation. In January and February
2020, the SANParks Honorary Rangers:
Johannesburg Region hosted two birding
weekends at the Eskom owned and
managed Ingula Nature Reserve near Van
Reenen, both of which were fully booked –
a total of 40 visitors!
True to its nature, Ingula Nature Reserve
showed its visitors what escarpment
weather is like, literally blowing the visitors
off their feet with its scenery and
showering them with threatened grassland
species (and rain). But even though the
weather left much to be desired, the
birding did not disappoint!
A collage of the first weekend - 24-26 January
SANParks Honorary Rangers continued
.
A Protea on the Lookout Point. Non-birders can enjoy
the stunning scenery and abundance of flowers,
insects and small game on the Nature Reserve.
Photo: C. Coetzer
Both weekends were a huge success and
planning is already underway for the next
event – so watch this space! A big thank you
to all who participated in the arrangements of
the weekend, including Eskom management
for ensuring access to the Nature Reserve and
Visitor’s Centre’s facilities. To all visitors: we
hope to see you at Ingula again soon!
A collage of the second weekend - 8 February - 1 March
Black Sparrowhawk
Orange Breasted
Waxbill
Denham’s Bustard
Carina Coetzer, Ingula Project Manager, Peter Nelson,
Eskom Senior Environmental Consultant (Peaking) and
Stuart Galloway SANParks Honorary Rangers:
Johannesburg Region