GEKCO Events

Forthcoming Events

To be announced in 2010.

 

 

PREVIOUS EVENTS

Grassland Conservation in Midrand: managing our shrinking heritage

 

Fire in grasslands – Mike Panagos of the Tshwane University of Technology

will discuss the ecological role of fire in grasslands, as well as the legal and

practical issues around burning

• Conservation of small animals – Vincent Carruthers, author of Frogs and

Frogging in Southern Africa and The Wildlife of Southern Africa, will discuss

how best to manage the land to look after the smaller birds, reptiles and mammals,

and in particular grass-dwelling animals

• Wetland management – John Dini of Working for Wetlands will address the

questions of what is the ecological role of wetlands in a developed environment,

and what are the ecological and legal consequences of poor wetland management?

• Sustainable building practice – Alastair Armstrong from In Synch Sustainable

Technologies will address: What is embodied energy? What sustainable options

are there for building in the 21st Century?

Saving our Wetlands: Wetland Rehabilitation in Gauteng: Opportunities & Constraints by Retief Grobler: It was only in the latter portion of the previous century that the importance of and need to protect wetland ecosystems was recognised.  Until recently wetlands were regarded as wasted spaces that were generally ill suited for conventional agriculture and thought fit only to breed mosquitoes and other disease carrying animals. Different societies and cultures have been “reclaiming” and transforming wetlands into “more useful” land types for centuries, as these ecosystems were and still are in direct competition with humans for space and water. What remains therefore tends to be transformed and few truly pristine wetlands persist, especially in areas where human settlement has been long and/or concentrated. Why then do we regard wetlands of value now and why do we try and rehabilitate them in transformed urban landscapes, such as Gauteng? In addition, what do we strive for in terms of wetland “rehabilitation” and what are the selection parameters currently applied?

Retief, is a MSc Botany student at the University of Pretoria, currently researching subsistence farming in peat swamp forests of the Kosi Bay Lake System. He has been working as a wetland ecologist in Gauteng, involved in wetland-related rehabilitation, inventory, education, and consulting. His interests also include a broad scope of disciplines associated with wetlands, such as vegetation, geomorphology, soil science, hydrology and geology. Peatlands are especially close to his heart. He is married to a plant taxonomist working at the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Arbour Day 2008:  Andrew Dicks co-ordinated GEKCO’s 2008 Arbour Day at Crowthorne Shopping Centre on 6 September.  This highly successful event was first held in 2007 and again sold a variety of indigenous trees. The objective is to raise awareness of indigenous trees and their benefits in terms of lower water usage and compatibility with local fauna.

Owl Talk: Jonathan Haw of EcoSolutions operates the Urban Owl Box Project and Raptor Centre at Broederstroom. He gave a talk to GEKCO, hosted by Beaulieu College on 8 September.  The hissing basket that he carried in with him contained a very inquisitive and friendly three and half week old Spotted Eagle Owl which had been rescued and brought to the centre.  Jonathan gave a highly entertaining and informative talk which will be written up in detail in the next Kyalami Country News.

Tour of Greater Kyalami for Retail Africa and Bokomoso: Over the past two years one of GEKCO's key roles has been monitoring developers to ensure that they are meeting their environmental obligations.  In order to take a more constructive and proactive role, GEKCO recently hosted Retail Africa and Bokomoso on a tour of greater Kyalami.  Retail Africa and Bokomoso have bought 17 hectares on the south-western corner of Main Rd (P70) and the R55 (opposite Beaulieu Prep) on which they are proposing developing a shopping mall.  Recognising strong opposition among local residents to yet another shopping mall in an area whose retail needs are already over-catered for, GEKCO's objective was to introduce them to the greater Kyalami area, its diversity and strengths, highlighting the equine industry and the equestrian lifestyle. See GEKCO’s August Newsletter for a full write-up.

Permaculture Courses:   We have held 2 very successful Permaculture weekend workshops run by John Nzira. John was born in Zimbabwe and currently lives and works in South Africa. He is an African Permaculture legend and has been teaching and establishing farms and orchards and gardens for seventeen years. A former coordinator of the Fambidzanai Permaculture Training Centre and program manager for Food and Trees for Africa, he is currently the director for the Ukuvuna Permaculture Consultancy. John is a recipient of the DEAET award for conservation and the Silver Gilt medal 2006 Chelsea Flower Show – UK Royal Horticultural Society presented by HRH Queen Elizabeth.  His aim is the development of practical skills in permaculture food gardens, nutrition, medicinal food and landscaping with indigenous plants.  John’s vision includes: People Care:  The enhancement of people's quality of life (shelter, food, water and socio-economic development) in a sustainable way. Earth Care: Ecologically sound methods of land use to minimise the negative impact on our planet. Surplus Share: Maintaining an upward spiral of learning by re-investing time, skills and resources back into society.

All attendees thoroughly enjoyed the weekends and his remarkable insights and genuine caring for humanity made for a remarkable weekend.

We are running our second gardeners/grooms permaculture course every first Thursday of the month from August to November.   After completion of the course there will be site visits by John to assess application of learning and prizes will be awarded to the best participants according to development of the land, as well as facilitation and presentation skills.  As previously, Gekco will also invite some participants from the disadvantaged communities.  See the GEKCO Newsletter for a report back on the first gardeners / grooms course.  For more info please contact  mdonde@iafrica.com

Peak Oil: Cuba's Solution (June 2008)

As peak oil and climate change become a reality, GEKCO arranged a viewing of the DVD ‘The Power of Community’ which documents how Cuba was forced to adapt when its oil supply dried up following the collapse of the Soviet Union and continuing boycotts and sanctions from the USA.  Cuba’s transition and the community response is thought-provoking and provides a way forward for communities facing similar challenges in the face of high oil, transport and food prices – urban food growing using permaculture techniques which follow nature’s patterns was a key part of increasing Cuba’s food security, and the city of Havana now produces over 60% of its fruit and salad vegetables within the city and its suburbs.

The Natural Step (July 2008) By Jeremy Burnham

The Natural Step is an international advisory organisation and think-tank which engages with leaders, government and individuals to create strategies to turn the tide of environmental collapse and to generate new more sustainable solutions. This talk gave insight into the four basic principles which are the cause of degradation of our earth.  Once we understand these principles we can make changes in our own lives to create a sustainable future for our children and our children’s children.  www.thenaturalstep.org

Bat Talk: Nigel Fernsby, Chairman of the Gauteng and Northern Regions Bat Interest Group, debunked common myths and fears about bats and enlightened horse owners on how bats could help reduce the ‘miggies’ that cause horse sickness as well as alleviate mosquitoes.