ReWild Mpumalanga, Newsletter #4

19 March 2024

More than two months have flown by since the last newsletter, December 2023. 

Land restoration work is focused on removal of invasive plants. It is a huge task, which we engage with courage and confidence in 2024.

Pilot Project

• Lazarus and Bongani, our two full time field rangers continued work along the Houtbosloop River, clearing Lantana, BugWeed (Bonga Bonga), Ageratum (BillyGoat weed), Polka Dot Plant, Seringa and Jacaranda.  
  

• During December, the team worked along the slopes of the mountain, making significant progress in a heavily lantana affected area. In this area, more than a decade ago, a team from the University of Johannesburg had released a biological control agent, a tiny insect which eats the leaves of the lantana plant. Unfortunately it seems as if these biological control agents had no impact, as all the lantana plants we removed grew vigorously with no sign of any insect damage. On some days the Social Employment Fund (SEF) team worked with Lazarus and Bongani, and the additional support adds significantly to the efficacy of the project. 

• During January / February, the team returned to the ‘riparian forest’ area extensively cleared during November 2023. Follow up work was done and any ‘re-growth’ of invasive alien plants removed. 

• Early in February, Lazarus and Bongani opened up an access path to the deep rainforest valley area, in preparation for accompanying the SEF team members for some ‘targeted operations’ against lantana ‘hotspots’. This area is located far away from the base, and impossible to access using vehicles. We use a small Yanmar tractor with a trailer to move equipment as close as possible to the target area. This little tractor is more than 40 years old. 

• During February, the majority of the work was focused on vegetation along the banks of the Houtbosloop River and in the subtropical forest / grassland interface. 
  

Social Employment Fund (SEF) Team

• Since January 2024, the SEF team has been equipped with appropriate PPE, workwear and tools to meaningfully engage in invasive plant control.

• We thank AvoVision for supporting equipment (chainsaws), PPE and training. Also much thanks to Project Biome for facilitating additional equipment, PPE and workwear. 

• Some SEF team members still support the local community effort to maintain and restore the R539 road surface, which is affected by cracks and potholes in the tarmac. 

• We currently have 10 people employed through the SEF program, and we had just been contacted with an offer of employing 20 additional workers locally. This is Great news, and given the need for land restoration and jobs, we feel that it is our obligation to accept.
  

• With twenty more people locally, and 20 additional people in Bushbuck Ridge, this means that we will have to increase our capacity to enable meaningful restoration action. We will have to find the additional resources to equip our new members with the workwear (overalls and boots), equipment (including additional chainsaws), additional PPE and training. 
  

General

• We have taken a decision in principle, that all supporters of the project who have donated $50 or more will receive a digital certificate with a unique 3x3m digital square in the target area, demarcated using the What3Words Geolocation application. You would then be able to easily locate this area on a map and see where your support is making a difference. The Sudwala rainforest area has been classified into 5 different ‘categories’ starting with the most abundant Savannah grasslands, through subtropical forests, River vegetation and climax grassland. The highest category is ‘sites of special significance’ such as the mysterious stone wall ruins and crystal clear fountains that can be found in the target area. We attach a ‘flyer’ promoting the project, and would value your feedback. 
  

• Our ClubHouse talks are still held regularly on Monday’s, at 7pm Central African Time. During these informal gatherings we discuss Earth Matters, always providing feedback with regard to the progress of the ReWild Mpumalanga Project, and discussing some of the latest developments in the climate / environment sectors globally and locally. We encourage you to attend these discussion rooms, where we share and learn from each other. 

• With support from Project Biome, we may soon become involved in a mission to comprehensively map the Houtbosloop River catchment, with special focus on identifying invasive plant ‘hotspots’. Such a map would be a valuable tool in identifying priority areas for management intervention. Specialised drone technology would be used extensively in this mapping effort. 

• Members from the GeaSphere committee (Philip Owen and Lisa Steyn) attended the Schoemanskloof / Sudwala Sub Catchment Forum meeting and had the opportunity to present the project to attendees. The project was well received and we will continue discussions with some individuals in the Schoemanskloof (the valley just to the south of Sudwala), looking at ways to strengthen the project and expand its reach and efficacy. 
  

We want to thank all of our supporters for your part in making this project a reality. 

Warm Regards

Philip Owen

GeaSphere 

GeaSphere ReWild Mpumalanga Newsletter #3

The past month was significant for GeaSphere’s environmental action and activism.

Mini Pilot Project:

• Two field rangers, Lazarus and Bongani, are employed full-time for a three-month period in land restoration.

• During November, the team worked in the riparian forest along the banks of the Houtbosloop River at the bottom end of the Sudwala Rainforest Valley. 

• Throughout November, an area of approximately 700m x 70m (5 hectares) underwent intervention.

• Invasive plants, primarily lantana, BugWeed, seringa, and brambles, were cleared. 

• Common thorn trees were thinned out to address the bush encroachment problem, where hard woody vegetation overtakes climax grassland. This is a significant issue on the fringes of the forest. 

• The team utilized a chainsaw, bush cutters, and tree-poppers extensively. The latter is an extremely useful implement for leveraging plants like lantana camara out of the ground, roots and all. Follow-up work will be required to control any regrowth and germinating seedlings. 

• Additionally, a small stone ruin structure was uncovered whose origins and function are as yet unknown. As part of the project, these stone ruins will be documented on a map to determine their extent and function, providing insight into these fascinating ancient remnants of civilization.

This small stone wall structure is part of a vast network of stone wall ruins, walls and terraces in the area. The origins of these ruins remains a mystery, and could be linked to the ancients that created ‘Adams Calendar’, located approximately 25km from the Sudwala Rainforest area.

Land Restoration is a process which starts with removal of invasive vegetation. The ‘waste’ biomass can be utilised for production of biochar - which can then be returned as a soil amendment. The area needs be regularly monitored and managed to ensure appropriate rehabilitation and elimination of any potential ‘regrowth’ of alien plants.

Project Biome, AvoVision, SEF PROGRAM:

• Ten people are part-time employed (16 hours a week) in land restoration and community service. 

• The team assisted in the road maintenance of the R539, contributing to a community-led effort to fix the deteriorating road surface, filling cracks and potholes with tar, and clearing the roadside gutters. 

• The team also engaged in clearing alien invasive plants on the Mankele Community property, with a focus on removing Lantana Camara.

Stakeholder Engagements:

• On November 8th, GeaSphere participated in a meeting with the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation (DWS) Provincial Management. 

• This meeting, organized by the Mpumalanga Water Caucus (MPWC), a civil society network of provincial organizations and individuals active in the water sector, was a continuation of engagements that used to be frequent pre-COVID.

• It served as an important platform to raise relevant issues related to freshwater, land use, and climate change. 

• GeaSphere took the opportunity to introduce the ‘ReWild Mpumalanga’ Initiative, highlighting the various ways ecosystem restoration positively impacts water conservation and quality.

KwaZulu Natal Alternative COP:

• On November 28th and 29th, I had the opportunity to travel to Durban for an 'alternative COP' event. 

• The event, hosted by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, brought together activists from various sectors to discuss environmental issues.

• Organizations such as EarthLife Africa, Amadiba Crisis Committee, Mpumalanga Water Caucus, and the Women's Leadership and Training Program (WLTP) delivered presentations on opposition to extractive industries threatening the region's environmental integrity, focusing on projects such as titanium mining and fossil fuel exploration. 

• I presented on the global timber industry, titled “Fake Solutions, Planetary Boundaries, and Ecological Overshoot.”

Workshop Richards Bay:

• On November 29th, we traveled to Richards Bay, approximately 70km north of Durban, for a workshop focused on Timber Plantations. 

• This smaller but more focused event included presentations by Brian Ashe (TimberWatch Coalition), December Ndhlovu (Mpumalanga Water Caucus), and a representative from the Women's Leadership and Training Program. 

• Desmond DeSai, founder of the South Durban Environmental Alliance and a recipient of the ‘Goldman Environmental Award,’ also joined us. 

• The round trip to KZN covered 1633km by road

• It was a pleasure to travel with December Ndhlovu, a long-time environmental activist, colleague, and friend. 

December Ndhlovu is the coordinator of the Mpumalanga Water Caucus and an award winning environmental activist. December is the ‘driver’ behind the initiative with Project Biome and AvoVision, currently employing 50 people in land restoration activities in the Mpumalanga escarpment.

We were saddened by the passing of Andrew St. Ledger, founder of the ‘Irish Woodland League,’ an organization dedicated to rewilding in Ireland. Andrew's warm-hearted and compassionate nature was a true asset to the environmental community. We had the honor of hosting Andrew in a Clubhouse discussion room, available as a replay, where you can learn about his valuable work and inspiring worldview .

Clubhouse Conversations:

• Our regular Clubhouse discussion rooms (Mondays, 7 pm CAT) provides an opportunity to discuss project updates with interested and affected parties, reflecting on global environmental and sustainability news in the company of a diverse community. 

• We invite you to join our ‘house’ and contribute to the conversation. 

• GeaSphere members also contribute to other regular Clubhouse discussions, including the SOOO Sustainability Rooms on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as the Mother Earth First ‘Climate News’ room on Saturdays.

ReWild Mpumalanga GeaSphere Newsletter #2

3 November 2023

There is a saying in Afrikaans….

“Dit is die maand Oktober, die mooiste mooiste maand”

Spring Flowers. Brunsvigia natalensis. Mpumalanga

(It is the month October, the most beautiful month…)

I feel this way about October 2023, as along with 67mm of rainfall and the sounds and smells of spring, birds and insects filling the air with their energy and song - We have transitioned from talking to action, during this beautiful month of October.

Thanks to the steadfast support of our GeaSphere Tribe on ClubHouse, our ReWild Mpumalanga Project is gaining traction and is becoming operational.

Our project in collaboration with the MPWC, Project Biome and Avovision is already bringing environmental and social benefits to our community, as the 50 people employed through the project started working in October. Ten people are based locally in the ‘Houtbosloop Valley’, and during the past month have been primarily engaged in clearing plastic and other pollution from approximately 20 km of roadway. The R539 was cleared all along this valley, as well as a long section of the dirt road to Lydenburg and a service road to some local businesses and farms.

Four pick-up truck loads of litter were removed to the municipal dump in Nelspruit, and I can say without a doubt that this is the cleanest road in all of Mpumalanga Province.

The team has received training by AvoVision, which is the organization facilitating the employment and payments. It is with gratitude that we report all of our team members received their salaries at the end of the month, and we go forward motivated and with confidence. Thank You AvoVision!

Some local businesses (facilitated by Mikon Chicken Farm) had embarked on a road maintenance project, fixing the many potholes and cracks which are appearing. Our team of 10 workers will be able to assist in this effort, and indeed has already contributed a day's work, having cleared roadside gutters of soil and vegetation.

This road cleaning and maintenance is ‘high visibility’ work, and I am disappointed that we have not yet been able to obtain support for branded uniforms, or at least a T Shirt which boldly states ‘ReWild Mpumalanga’.

A dire need to level up the efficacy of our project is a appropriate pick-up truck. The area where work is required is extensive, and the team needs to be mobile to allow us to more easily access the problem areas. The field workers need to be collected from the community where they are resident, as walking to the project area daily (though possible) is time consuming and not efficient. We have ambitions to use the biomass we have access to for the small scale production of biochar. This will not be possible unless we have access to a pick-up truck.

It has been suggested that our next primary fund raising focus should be to obtain an appropriate vehicle - which will mean that we would have to level up fund raising at least x10. So we are very happy to report that our PayPal facility is functional, making it very easy to contribute. Also, our Patreon site is active, so any person who wishes to make a small monthly donation or ‘gift’ could use this platform with confidence.

We have reached out to local companies like Sappi, YORK Timbers, TRAC_N4, TWK (Equipment suppliers) and Jonssons (WorkWear) for support. To date, Sappi has replied with pertinent questions regarding team supervision and training, indicating their consideration of our project. Indeed, the well equipped and well trained team that we envision will have benefits to the entire community, especially if the team is capacitated to be amongst ‘first responders’ when dealing with environmental emergencies.

MAJOR news is that during this beautiful month of October, we achieved our goal of raising $3000 for our ‘mini pilot project’. Along with all of you who contributed I would like to specifically acknowledge Bev Zeigler. Her experience, diligence and passionate support for this project is invaluable and very much appreciated.

The funds generated allow us to employ 2 people full time for three months, with a focus on invasive alien plant control in the Sudwala Rainforest Valley area. November, December and January is the time when plant growth is prolific, and it is a very good time to engage in invasive plant management and control. We started with our two man team on Thursday, the 2nd of November. Currently the team is operating in thick riverine forest, dominated by the fragrant smell of the ‘perdepis’ tree. The most problematic invasive in this area is lantana camara, and our team is currently using an implement called a ‘tree popper’ which allows us to ‘leverage’ a lantana plant with up to 100mm diameter at the base out of the ground, roots and all.

Removing Lantana with a Tree Popper

All these areas where work is being performed is being monitored and mapped, and in three months time the team would be sure to revisit the area to check for any potential re-growth. When you remove a plant like lantana, you expose the soil to the sun, which provide an opportunity for lantana seeds to germinate. ‘Follow up’ work is critically important in invasive plant control, and if this aspect is neglected you might cause bigger problems with more severe infestations to deal with.

As many of you know, we host regular ClubHouse discussions on Monday early evenings, 7pm Central African Time. On 30 October we hosted Kaitlyn Duthie from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. Kaitlyn stood in on short notice for Anne Petermann, from the Global Justice Ecology Network. Both these organisations are global leaders in the campaign against the release of Genetically Modified Trees into ‘forest’ systems. We had a interesting discussion and I want to thank Kaitlyn, Anne and Zampe, who took the initiative to arrange this event.

The 19th of October was the international day of action against Big Bad Biomass, where several organisations from around the world raise awareness regarding the impacts of burning biomass for large scale electricity production. A major proportion of the EU’s so called ‘renewable energy’ is the burning of biomass, which falsely assumes that the carbon released will be re-absorbed by growing trees. The accounting fails to properly internalise emissions at smokestack, which is equal or worse than emissions from coal, and the mechanism also assumes planting trees sequester carbon permanently. It is not the trees alone responsible for carbon sequestration but the living ecosystem, and the more diverse that ecosystem the better it is at sequestering carbon. We had a interesting discussions with members from the Environmental Paper Network and the Global Forest Coalition, but unfortunately the discussion was not recorded and is not available as a ‘re-play’. :-(

The overarching theme for our clubhouse discussions during October 2023 was the Planetary Boundaries’. These discussions arose from a recent report which states that 6 of the 9 planetary boundaries had already been ‘overstepped’, due to impacts on Land Use, Biodiversity etc. Relevant is the fact that ‘Climate Change’ is only one of the planetary boundaries - and that our project ‘ReWild Mpumalanga’ actually addresses several of the boundaries which have been overstepped.

The concept of planetary boundaries was introduced by a group of Earth system scientists in 2009, led by Johan Rockström and Will Steffen. Planetary boundaries are a set of nine critical environmental thresholds or limits within which humanity can operate safely to maintain a stable and hospitable environment for human civilization. These boundaries are meant to define the "safe operating space for humanity" on Earth.

Here are the nine planetary boundaries:

Climate Change: This boundary relates to the concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. It is commonly measured in terms of parts per million (ppm) of CO2. The boundary suggests that we should aim to keep atmospheric CO2 concentrations below 350 ppm to avoid dangerous climate change.

Biodiversity Loss (Extinction Rate): This boundary focuses on the rate of species extinction. It aims to maintain the Earth's biodiversity at a level where ecosystems can continue to function and support human well-being. The boundary is set at a rate of less than 10 species per million species per year.

Planetary Boudaries 2023

Nitrogen Cycle: This boundary is concerned with the release of reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment, primarily through the use of synthetic fertilizers. Excessive nitrogen in ecosystems can lead to water pollution, air pollution, and disrupt natural nitrogen cycles.

Phosphorus Cycle: Similar to the nitrogen cycle, this boundary relates to the release of phosphorus into the environment, often from agricultural runoff. Excessive phosphorus can lead to water pollution and eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems.

Land Use Change: This boundary considers the transformation of natural landscapes into urban and agricultural areas. It's important to maintain a certain level of intact ecosystems to support biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Freshwater Use: This boundary focuses on the consumption of freshwater resources, particularly by humans. It emphasizes the need to manage water resources sustainably to avoid depletion of freshwater systems.

Ocean Acidification: This boundary addresses the increasing acidity of the world's oceans due to the absorption of excess atmospheric CO2. Ocean acidification can harm marine life and disrupt marine ecosystems.

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: While the ozone hole issue has been largely addressed through international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, this boundary reminds us of the importance of protecting the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Aerosol Loading: Aerosols are tiny particles or droplets in the atmosphere. This boundary focuses on the release of certain types of aerosols, like black carbon, which can have harmful effects on both climate and human health.

These planetary boundaries are important because they represent the critical limits within which human societies can thrive while maintaining a stable and healthy planet. Crossing these boundaries can lead to irreversible environmental changes, biodiversity loss, and disruptions to ecosystems that could threaten human well-being and the functioning of Earth's systems. Monitoring and staying within these boundaries are essential for achieving long-term sustainability and avoiding catastrophic environmental consequences. Many of these boundaries are interconnected, meaning that crossing one boundary can increase the risk of crossing others, making it even more crucial to manage them collectively and responsibly.

We are confident that the ReWild Mpumalanga Project addresses several of these Planetary Boundaries, significantly BioDiversity Loss, Land Use Change, Fresh Water and Climate Change. If we can improve wildlife dynamics, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus could become naturally available in these semi wilderness areas, thus further contributing to enhancing natural life cycles and systems.

Thanks to all of you who through your support make this land restoration possible. In the words of MaTshepo Khumbane “As we march, Let's hold hands together, because Together we are like a river which can not be blocked by anyone”

“We care for the environment”

Philip Owen

GeaSphere