Grahamstown Branch

2011-2012 Committee

Chair: Ms Irene de Moor
Vice-Chair: Dr Jenny Gon
Secretary: Mr Peter Breetzke
Treasurer: Dr Sukhmani Mantel
Additional members: Mr Mike Bandey, Ms Margaret Crampton, Dr Jenny Gon, Prof. Pat Irwin, Prof. Roy Lubke, Mr Nick James

Introduction
The Grahamstown branch of WESSA performs a local watchdog function, voicing concerns to the relevant authorities when necessary. The branch also supports several local environmental initiatives, and has an ongoing project to make the Ecca Nature Reserve more accessible to members of the public. In 1998, the branch published the second edition of the Field Guide to the Eastern and Southern Cape Coasts . The branch encourages member participation through a programme of monthly activities which take the form of either a talk on an environmental topic or an outing to a place of interest, usually in the Albany region.

Current watchdog activities

Support function

• Arbor Day: the branch played a key role in the formation of the Millennium Tree Planting Project, a non-profit organisation, which, since 1999, has supported cleaning and greening at a community level. Each year the branch awards a trophy on Arbor Day to the school/institution in Makana that has planted trees and is looking after their grounds.
• Science Expo: WESSA committee members are involved in judging at the annual local Science Expo. The branch encourages the development of environmental projects by awarding a trophy for the best environmental project. Recently, the branch has contacted schools to offer to support environmental projects to enhance the awareness of environmental and wildlife research. For further info, contact Prof. Roy Lubke (at: r.lubke@ru.ac.za) or Science Expo Chairman, Bruce Brown (at: b.brown@ru.ac.z

  The WESSA trophy awarded annually to the winning school along with a copy of the Field Guide to the Southern and Eastern Cape Coasts.

• Kowie Catchment Campaign: the KCC is a local community initiative that cares about our local rivers and streams. Three committee members serve on the committee. [ http://www.kowiecatchmentcampaign.org.za/ ]

• Makana Environmental Forum: the branch supports the MEF which meets 3–4 times a year, providing an opportunity for representatives from local environmental organisations/institutions to network and be updated on environmental activities in Makana

Current projects

• Book project: under the leadership of Prof. Roy Lubke, the branch is producing a book Grahamstown: a Guide to the Natural and Cultural History. The 128-page guide will provide info on the local geology, palaeontology, flora, fauna, conservation and the town’s history, as well as describe walks and trails in and around Grahamstown, accompanied by maps.
• Ecca Nature Reserve: in the late 1980s the Grahamstown branch of WESSA took on the responsibility of developing the 134 ha Ecca Nature Reserve, located 15 km from Grahamstown on the R67 to Fort Beaufort . This was a cooperative effort with support from local schools, Rhodes University , the then Divisional Council, the Albany Museum and the Grahamstown Round Table. Trails were laid out, two information plinths built and a flier of the Reserve was produced. The branch is currently re-marking the trails and plans to refurbish the signage on the plinths and produce an updated flier.
  
• Oldenburgia Conservancy: in 2009 the branch provided funding for four signboards to be posted at different entry points to the conservancy. The branch is also supporting the clearing of invasive alien vegetation as part of the Oldenburgia stream rehabilitation project that is jointly supported by the Albany Working for Water project.

Recently completed projects

• Burnt Kraal signage reminding the public that the picking of wild flowers is prohibited. This was a joint project with the Makana Municipality .
• Mountain Drive signage and flier (A3 format) : in 2007 the branch put up signage on different routes on Mountain Drive (Southern Commonage), indicating distances to various destinations. Roy Lubke also produced a brochure of eight popular walks on Mountain Drive [see Publications below]
  
• Refurbishment of the Toposcope on Signal Hill [ Mountain Drive ]: the signage was replaced and the building given a new coat of paint

Publications

• Field Guide to the Southern and Eastern Cape Coasts (1998, 2 nd edition) edited by Roy Lubke and Irene de Moor [contact details: r.lubke@ru.ac.za ]
• Mountain Drive flier [download pdf ]

2011 Talks and Outings

• July 24: Rock art outing to the Koonap River led by Celeste Booth
• August 25: Talk by Hilton Newcombe on tuna resources
• September 10: Outing to the Great Fish River Reserve, organised by Mike Bandey

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