Meeting 4 March 09

The first meeting for 2009 will be held on the Seminar Room of the Kirstenbosch Research Centre on 4 March from 13.30 to 16.30. Meetings are open to all with an interest in wetlands.

AGENDA

13:30 – 13:50 : Welcome and Chair’s Report
Report back from Steering Committee meeting.
Matters arising from previous minutes of Forum meeting of 19 Nov 08

13:50 – 14.15 : Groundwater basics and relationship to Wetlands
by Mike Smart, DWAFDeputy Director: Groundwater Management DWAF

14:15 – 14.40 : Groundwater, Wetlands and the Table Mountain Group
by Christine Colvine, CSIR

14.40-14.50 : Overview of Wetland Prioritization process for CoCT
by Kate Snaddon of FCG

14.50-15.00 : Start of feedback on World Wetlands Day 09 from various groups.

15.00 - 15.30 : TEA

15.30 – 15:45 : World Wetlands Day 09
Report back: GEESE; WESSA; Friends of Liesbeek; Working for Wetlands, Alice Ashwell, TMNP; Zandvlei Trust; 2 Oceans

15:45-16:15 : AGM

16:15– 16:30 : Membership Input & General Forum Business; Up-coming events; Announcements and Publications; Nancy Job – Potential publication on Wetland Plants

16:30 : Closure

WESSA Water Hyacinth Clear Out

In keeping with the Ramsar theme of “Upstream, Downstream, wetlands connect us all”, WESSA is arranging a water hyacinth clearing along a section of the Keyers River.

WHEN: Friday 6 Feb 09
WHERE: Frogmore Estate, end of Easson Road (which runs off Main). Follow the dirt track to the river.
TIME: 15H00 TO 16H00
RSVP: Roshan. 021 7011397 or roshan@wessa.co.za so that we can provide enough juice and biscuits.

Advisable: hat, sunblock, shorts, water sandals. Optional: bring a rake if you don’t want to go into the river, bring friends too.

World Wetlands Day 2009

World Wetlands Day is on the 2nd of Feb. The Ramsar theme for this year is "Upstream, Downstream, Wetlands connect us all". See the Ramsar site www.ramsar.org for useful material. The listing below shows some of the many awareness drives and events happening in the Cape name of Wetlands Day on the 2nd and during the course of Feb. Send in info about any wetlands related event you'd like to advertise.

1 Feb. Glencairn. Building of stepping stone river crossing. Contact Cilla Bromley on
021 7826400
2 Feb. Agulhas. Workers involvement with the Working for Wetlands Project. Contact Winston Coe of Working for Wetlands on 021 7998848 0846209908
2 Feb. Duiwenhoks. Hoerskool Langebaan visit to the WfWetlands gabion structure. Contact Winston Coe.
2 Feb. Observatory. Wetland walk and visit to bird hides. Contact Dave Wheeler 021 671 4553
2 Feb. Port Nolloth. Wetland information session and start of a 3-week wetland cleaning project
Nicolaas Sigamu on 078 556 2764
2 Feb. Verlorenvlei. Eendekuil and Elandsbaai schools interactive workshops
Winston Coe.
2 - 6 Feb. Zandvlei. Schools wetlands information sessions and field trips. City of Cape Town & EduTrain. Contact Paul Arends on 021 4872567
3 Feb. Peninsula. WfWetlands Workers wetland training session. Contact Winston Coe
4 Feb. Masiphumelele. Ukhanyo Junior School wetland walk and talk. Contact Leighan Mossop at 0217892457.
5 Feb. Peninsula. Schools wetland training session. Contact Winston Coe
6 Feb. Peninsula. Schools wetland training session. Contact Winston Coe
6 Feb. Keysers River Water Hyacinth Clean Up. Contact Patrick or Philippa on 021 7011397
7 Feb. Silvermine wetlands. Mini SASS test. Contact Evanne Rothwell.
11 Feb. Silvermine. GIS and environmental awareness training for school learners. Contact Alice Ashwell on 021 7882431