KZN Projects
Coastwatch
The coastal and marine environments are severely threatened in terms of overfishing, coastal erosion physical degradation, and the discharge of wastes to land, water and air. WESSA’s Coastwatch Project was initiated in 1997 in an effort to find solutions to these problems. The network includes regulators, industry, community members, scientists and academics. It strives to be participatory and inclusive with the aim of helping people to work together.
Bergwatch
Bergwatch acts as a watchdog organisation, and works with the support and involvement of local communities to protect our mountain wilderness from inappropriate development that might impact on this critical natural area.
Working for Ecosystems
The threat of invasive alien species to our biodiversity and natural heritage, our water security, and our agricultural lands and food security can not be overestimated. Working for Ecosystems is an Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) eradication programme running under the Extended Public Works Programme for poverty relief. It is involved in the removal of IAPs in high biodiversity and catchment areas within the eThekwini Municipality; the education of local communities about the importance of IAP eradication; and the creation of green jobs to help provide a level of sustainability to both people and the environment.
Free Me Wildlife Rehabiltation Centre
In 2006, WESSA:KZN helped to establish Free Me on a two hectare site near Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in Howick. Free Me is now fully operational and an independent, registered section 21 company.