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.