Northern Area News
NYLSVLEY NEWSFLASH – 19 AUGUST 2011
A White Nylsvley
By Marion Dunkeld-Mengell
On Monday, 15 August 2011, at about 17:00pm a huge hailstorm hit Nylsvley. The “snow” lasted overnight and for days in some places; the floodplain was like a “winter wonderland” for several mornings afterwards.
Bird Guide Lucas (078 566 2829) described the conditions as extra cold; even then he observed Marabou Stork, African Rail, Barred Wren-Warbler, Cape Penduline Tit, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Lizard Buzzard and Red-billed Teals going about their daily business. The worst affected area was on the high ground around the gate complex, there was no hail at Vogelfontein or in the main reserve. Some 30mm rain was recorded with 97mm in the worst affected area. Some of the car ports were damaged from the sheer weight of the hail!
We thank John and Jean Barrow for hosting us on a five star work party weekend 12-14 August at Barrowdale in the catchment. We are so lucky to have caring owners who are looking after a tributary to the Nyl. We have sincere hopes that the Ostrich farm, their neighbour, is cutting down the volume of birds being produced which will eventually make a great deal of difference to the quality of water reaching our floodplain. We did the back breaking work of follow up of Black wattle; apparently they have been trying to clear up this area for 10 years. We hope our efforts will not need any more attention, still plenty more to do! Jan Smuts always used to say he wanted the grass to grow right up to his front door well, there was a leopard kill within walking distance of our accommodation! At Nylsvley Hedley and Lainey Herring observed signs of our resident leopard whilst measuring the roads for the new trail notices we are working on.
I have tracked down a supplier of humane traps that we would like to purchase to collect the last of the feral cats that are still hanging around. Please report sightings to the staff so that we can monitor where they are resident. Thank you.
The meeting at Mokopane about the proposed platinum mine on the Nyl floodplain was well supported and facilitated. We thank Ron Mengell and Clive Poole for their attendance and now have to get the last of the submissions in.
We welcome new members Leonore van der Merwe and Des and Magda Blignaut, and hope you will enjoy helping us to do good things for Nylsvley.
Natasha reports that there are 7 Roan calves (hope they survived the cold) on Nylsvley and another 9 on the nearby ammunition depot. About 1 km fencing has been replaced and work is proceeding to get the watering points refitted. They are still waiting for PWD to measure the depth for the solar water pump; apparently they have a shortage of transport?
As a result of the Important Bird Area Assessment supervised by Ernst Retief of BirdLife South Africa in July we are instituting a continuous monitoring of the birds programme. We would appreciate it if you would report any unusual sightings to reception who will list it for you on our weekly report. Edwin Muneri (071 091 3511) our resident Bird guide, is our chief spotter but help from visitors will be welcome.
Please save the weekend 27-19 January 2012 for the next Woodland Bird Census, We are also looking, once again, for some sponsorship.
I promise, spring is on the way!
CLEAN–UP IN DORINGKLOOF SPRUIT
Saturday, 6 th August 2011, 08:00 – 10:00
By Marie de la Rey
RESIDENTS PRESENT:
Alan Walker, Piet Terblanche (&Klara), Nic Claassen, Penny Dekenah, Margie Rutsch, Chris Angles, Siza Netshilaphala, Janet Els, Danie Janse van Vuuren, Francois Claassen and Marie de la Rey. (11!)
NUMBER OF BAGS OF WASTE COLLECTED: 22 yellow bags
AREA CLEANED:
The area between Glover Street Bridge and Sonya Street Bridge was thoroughly cleaned.
The Spruit between Sonya and Jasper and on towards Botha Avenue, was rather dirty and we left that to Mike and his guys to do on Monday. (We had to leave them something to do. It had nothing to do with the fact that we were running out of steam..., time ...)
Thank you to those who came to help on Saturday. I am so grateful to the large number that heeded my call. We made a huge difference and proudly walked home knowing a job was well done.
I would just like to add, that while we do clean the Spruit in the 2 hours, we also do a lot of talking and bonding, which is equally important. It builds understanding and relationships and we help each other through the daily challenges that life dishes out.
Here is a photo that I managed to take just before we went to our separate areas to clean.
FRIENDS OF DORINGKLOOF SPRUIT
SUMMARY OF CLEAN-UP ACTIONS IN THE SPRUIT DURING THE PAST YEAR JULY 2010 –JULY 2011
By Marie de la Rey
We have on record 10 months’ worth of clean-ups by the FRIENDS OF DORINGKLOOF SPRUIT (FoDS).
As can be seen from the table below, 94 people in total cleaned up 188 yellow bags of rubbish. These were only what FoDS did, apart from the clean-ups done by the NATURE CONSERVATION CLEANERS.
The groups of people larger than 15 were FoDS assisted by the Scouts from Springvale Pack or the DA members that Dr Clive Napier organized to help.
The average is 2 bags per person, and that is what we have found to be an estimated average during each monthly clean-up, per person in 2 hours.
FRIENDS OF DORINGKLOOF SPRUIT - The Past 3 years
In 2008 a group of residents in Doringkloof, Centurion, started a Friends group with the idea of taking ownership of the spruit that runs through our suburb. It was in a poor state of neglect and we felt challenged to do what we could to make it into an area that would be an asset to our community.
We have seen many of our dreams coming to fruition in the past three years, We have regular monthly clean ups, ably assisted by local residents and scout members, and have planted 
indigenous trees to replace exotic trees that have been removed. Our local primary school will be involved with our next planting ceremony in September and, with the help of Nature Conservation, we are planning a two-day program involving the schoolchildren during that week. A previous program, held in the spruit one Saturday morning, included a talk on snakes. It was a great hit, especially with the children.
One of our great joys is to see bird life returning to the spruit and we have erected a birding platform next to a wetland area. We have also erected benches, dustbins and signboards – and are in the process of putting up fences. In all these activities we have 
been wonderfully encouraged and supported by Nature Conservation and we greatly appreciate their involvement with us.
Our newest project is the purchase and erecting of two owl boxes for the Barn Owl and Spotted Eagle Owl. We are hoping that this will encourage new inhabitants into our spruit!
The reward for our labours is to see Doringklowers using the spruit for walks and jogging, or just enjoying nature in the midst of our busy suburb.
2011 ECO-SCHOOLS CONFERENCE
By Liezl Lloyd
On 28 and 29 June 2011 an Eco-Schools Conference was held in Tzaneen, Limpopo . The theme for the conference was “Partners for our planet”. By utilizing this theme we recognized that we need to collaborate with other schools, local and provincial authorities as well as the private sector to make our dream of a better future for all a reality. Interesting speakers were chosen to link up with the five Eco-Schools themes which include Resource Use, Local and Global Issues, Nature and Biodiversity, Healthy Living and Community and Heritage.
Apart from the interesting conference sessions, a lovely Market Place was set up for a few hours on the first day where various environmental organizations and Eco-Schools Nodes showcased the great work they do for the environment, shared their information and networked with conference delegates.
The conference was mainly arranged by Cathy Dzerefos (Eco-Schools Provincial Programme Manager for Limpopo), with help and support from Liezl Lloyd (Eco-Schools Provincial Programme Manager for Gauteng ) and Zuzette de Beer (Eco-Schools Provincial Programme Manager for Mpumalanga ). School Cluster Coordinators also showed their true value and was a big help with conference arrangements, registrations, bookings and conference sessions. Cathy also introduced a great initiative by supplying each delegate with an “Eco-Schools” mug and challenging everyone to only use this mug for drinking fluids throughout the conference in order to minimise waste created by the use of water bottles and soda cans.
We are very pleased with the fruitful outcome of the conference which saw approximately 150 delegates attending. The conference was described by many a delegate as a great platform for the sharing of Eco-Schools case studies, learning experiences, successes, challenges and allowed for great interaction and networking between the Eco-Schools of the four different provinces. A big highlight for most of the delegates was the conference sessions where some of our Gauteng and Limpopo Eco-Schools shared the path they had walked, including challenges and their solutions, in order to become successful Eco-Schools.
A BIG thanks to Tzaneen Country Lodge for sponsoring the venue for the conference as well as PPC Cement for sponsoring the Eco-Schools Mugs.
GREEN BEINGS CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT WEEK WITH THE ECO-SCHOOLS THEY SUPPORT: KLEIN JUKSKEI RIVER CLEAN-UP
By Alex Frost
Green Beings is a Non-Profit Organization that gives schools the opportunity to learn about, love and rekindle their connection with nature. It is an eco-club/group/committee intended to change the current close-minded attitude of our society. In a practical and fun way, our youth will learn about living organisms, the beauty of nature and current environmental issues. Learners will also gain practical skills on how to be a part of the solution and thus become pro-active members of society who take part in green initiatives and become the driving force behind eco-investigations. Our next generation will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to progress into a sustainable society.
The Green Beings Team is currently supporting Fourways High School and S'godiphola High School who are both first year registered Eco-Schools in Gauteng. Classes are given on a weekly basis in the form of an extra mural at S'godiphola High (Cosmo City) and Fourways High Schools. Education, in conjunction with ongoing projects, encourages learners to become pro-active members of their communities as well as re-establish their connection to the local natural environments.
On Saturday the 11 th June 2011, a surprisingly warm winter morning, the Green Beings team celebrated World Environment Week by cleaning the banks of the Klein Jukskei River, in Juweel Park, Jukskei Park. Eager learners, parents and community members gathered, put on their gumboots and gloves and started filling refuge bags. By lunchtime the zealous team had collected two full bakkie loads of rubbish, which amounted to approximately 55 black refuse bags! Items removed from the river included: lots of PVC piping, car parts, super market trolleys, old computers and carpets. This was a great effort as plastic in water sources can take up to 1000 years to decay, which is detraction to the aesthetic value of the park not to mention all the other toxins and pollutants being released into and around the river.
This clean-up day was the first step in an ongoing river rehabilitation project where the Green Beings team will be involved in water monitoring, alien vegetation removal and indigenous plant introduction. This project will form part of Fourways High School's Eco-schools action project.
Thank you to Kershnee Naidoo from Enviroserv who helped out on the day as well as organising the collection and recycling of the waste. Also to Mikal from The Enviro Solutions Centre who lent a helping hand.
Well done to everybody involved!
Check out our Green Beings Facebook Page as well as our website ( www.greenbeings.weebly.com ) and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Green Beings events. Any volunteers are welcome. Lets start small and take responsibility for our environment.
For more information on Green Beings please contact us on: greenbeings@live.co.za
Results from the Coordinated Water Bird Count (CWAC) done on Hartebeespoort Dam & Surrounding rivers and ponds – 23 July 2011
VULTURE RESTAURANT OUTING
By John Wesson
John Wesson led a group, which included some Austrians, on an outing to the Vulture Restaurant Project on 22 April 2011.
Group visit to the Peglerae Conservancy and Magaliesberg
By John Wesson
On Saturday 5th March a large group around 40 people consisting of WESSA, Birdlife Harties and Birdlife Northern Gauteng members set out up the hills in search of birds, interesting trees and other wildlife. The group was lead by John Wesson of WESSA Northern areas. The first time use of radios on an outing made it easy to communicate with everyone. We stopped to look at the slender form of the Magaliesberg Cabbage tree, the lace like foliaged Wild Syringa's (Burkea africana) and an array of smaller brightly coloured wild flowers. The black eagle gave a magnificent flying display as it soared over the cliff tops in search of food. A few Cape Vultures were spotted high in the sky as they rode the thermals. Other interesting sightings were Amethyst sunbirds, Cinnamon breasted buntings, various canary species, Red collared widow to name but a few. The Kudu's did not make an appearance this time although I am sure they were watching us. A large troop of baboons watched curiously from the rocky outcrops commenting now and again on this strange group below The morning ended with a bring and braai in the forest and discussions of next outings and all the latest environmental issues facing the region.
Nylsvlei Newsflash- March 2011
The 20th Anniversary event went off so well, except for the good African omen of 63mm rain during the weekend! Mary, did the flowers beautifully, Wilson, the chef, looked magnificent in his whites as he served a delicious meal, Sinkie and Pinky set up everything with such precision, the Group camp hall will never be the same again! We thank everyone who came to share the weekend with us, it was good to celebrate all that has been achieved over 20 long years. Many people were surprised at the complexity of the project; we will include many of the comments said on the night in our next newsletter. We thank Limpopo Tourism and Parks for hosting this very special occasion. Sander stayed on after the weekend to install the fans, quite a difficult job, sections of the outside roof panels had to be removed! I will report on their effectiveness after the April 9 Course with Geoff Lockwood.
The Nyl trail is now in good order as is the walk to the Bittern Bridge thanks to Hedley and teams. At the weekend we also had another go at the Bankrupt Bush, plenty more needs doing! Natasha tells us that a Roan calf has been spotted and the patrollers suspect that a few more calves have been born but are presently being hidden by their Mothers for the first few weeks of their lives. Supplementary feed has been procured, salt licks and Deadline, tick repellent is ready to be installed as well. One pump has been fixed for Stemmers which also supplies the 4 tanks water point. Natasha will be sending us some quotes for the bits and pieces to get it installed and up and running. The reserve staff have done the slashing for the firebreaks and were ready to get the fires going when it rained! The LEDET team is expected to come and help with that project. As everyone is aware the roads are in a poor condition at present. Natasha is hoping to get them completely refurbished; meanwhile a battery charger has been supplied to help keep the tractor on the road.
Imagine getting a letter in your post box stating that an environmental assessment process is to be conducted on your farm as a preliminary to apply for mining rights on said farm. Then to hear that a small 300 ha farm in the locality has been sold for a whopping 7 million Rand! The landowners on the floodplain just south of Makopane are rightly horrified at the thought of, they understand, platinum mining right on the floodplain. A second group of landowners north east of Mookgophong is also banding together to possibly form a conservancy to strengthen their claims to keep the land unsullied.
WWF E news message sent out on 3 March lists No Go areas for mine prospecting. I will happily forward this report to you.
We welcome new members Marie and Jan de la Rey and Sue Inglesby, and ask who made a deposit labelled ‘Greenside TV’ on 16 February? Thank you to everyone who has paid up their membership and shared in the Sun Pump Fund raffle. About a ¼ of the amount of money needed has come in already and we are thrilled to tell you that one of the prizes is a donation of Fabric from Home Fabric’s.
The raffle will be drawn at the AGM on Saturday 14 May at Sandfields and Forests where we will hold the meeting starting at 15h00 and followed by a visit to the ‘funny holes’ and a bring’n braai.
We thank Elaine for the pics below showing some Anniversary shots and various work being done on the reserve.
Friends Of Moreletaspruit - Newsletter February 2011
Friends Of Moreletaspruit - Newsletter - download here...
Nylsvlei Newsflash – February 2011
Having invited as many Friends as possible who have made a major contribution to our project, and received their responses we are now thrilled to announce that we have place for about ten more friends to attend. The anniversary weekend is over the long weekend 18-21 March. Limpopo Parks and Tourism will be hosting a dinner on the Saturday evening. Self catering accommodation is offered in the group camp. For some meals we would encourage you to patronise Nylsvley’s Spoonbill restaurant. Alternative accommodation is available in the cottages at Nylsvley Tel: 015 293 3611 or info@golimpopo.com or at neighbouring Dinonyane Lodge Tel: 014 743 0957. Work parties and Bird outings will be arranged. Please let us know ASAP if you will be attending and if you would be prepared to help on a work party. We are also looking for a photographer to record the proceedings?
We welcome new member Ian Jonsson all the way from Cowies Hill in Natal and hope he and friends enjoy their visit to the floodplain and environs. Some Friends will be sad to hear that Maurice Frank died recently, he was a real gentleman and loved the property that gave him so much joy for the last few years of his life: Sandfields and Forests.
Our dearly beloved vice chairman Colin Damant, after nearly 20 years on the committee and at the age of 84 has asked to be retired! We thank him for those many years of background counselling and support of our project and wish him and Lil lots of happy times together. Prof. John Skinner is not well for those that know him. Joan Faiola has resigned and we welcome Trevor and Kathy Cowie onto the committee.
After the celebration our next course will be Water Birds with Geoff Lockwood on Saturday 9 April. Please book soon as it is going to be a popular course and water bird viewing should be at its zenith.
We have arranged a special visit to Sandfields and Forests for our AGM on Saturday 14 May. We shall be at the newly cleaned up grand old farm house of Vogelfontein (entrance through Lekkerbreek gate). Brian Frank wants us to breathe new life into the place. Instead of guest speaker we will visit the ‘funny holes’ and have a bring’n braai.
There is still plenty of water at Nylsvley. If you intend to visit please book early. I have attempted to get the website updated, but just to remind you the reservations telephone number is: 015 293 3611/2/3
Acid Mine Drainage And Other Problems
By John Wesson
A number of NGO's, environmental lawyers, activists, environmental law centres etc were invited by the Federation of Sustainable Environment headed up by Mariette Lieferinck to tour the West Rand hot spots for Acid Mine drainage, highly contaminated rivers sources and dams.
A number of these highly radioactive sites between tailings dams have thousands of shack dwellers living on them. One of the most polluted lakes, Robinson Lake pictured here used to be a well known tourism spot, but today it is like a moon landscape with highly polluted water with a PH of 2 and extremely high radiation levels. The dam was recently tested for any forms of life. None were found and this dam is the source of one of the rivers that eventually ends up in the Crocodile River. Near the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, millions of litres of acid mine water is pouring into the river with a small amount being treated with lime to bring the ph up. In the picture the treated water is on the left. This is the predicted outcome for all three Witwatersrand basins unless a solution is put in place soon by Government and other stakeholders.
Pictured here is the group that toured the area. John Wesson from WESSA NAR on the far left. Mariette Lieferinck is in the middle in green.
