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