WESSA - 90 Years of People Caring for the Earth

••• Post-1994: WESSA Friends Groups become “hyper- local” When South Africa became a democracy, a new wave of public consciousness came about regarding environmental concerns. South Africans became aware that they had the democratic right to be consulted and to be involved in decision-making regarding their environment. “There was a mushrooming of passionate people getting together with communities to protect areas on their doorstep,” says Green. The Friends scheme has since evolved to include any natural or semi-natural area or built environment (whether pristine or degraded) where a group of concerned local people are prepared to do something about the situation. “I was amazed at how the groups grew,” says Bean, “but not entirely surprised. My experiences had shown that people generally want to help in some way in conservation and wildlife and for a long time there was nothing they could appeal to.” In her role as National Friends Advisor, and as the founder of Friends of Nylsvley (1991), Limpopo, Marion Mengell witnessed this development with interest. “Government doesn’t always provide what we think it should,” she says, “and that’s one reason it’s so important to have groups of committed volunteers in support roles focused on local areas – their areas. “The advantage of supporting a given local area is also that you can pull in local residents and resources. One person may cook well, another might offer design, woodwork or painting skills. Each can give their skills and make a contribution to conservation as a whole. You don’t have to be a game ranger!” She and Bean were responsible for The WESSA Friends Group Handbook: An easy guide to establishing a WESSA Friends Group, which offers sound guidelines and invaluable advice to aspiring and existing groups around setting up and running a WESSA-affiliated Friends Group. ••• More than environmental benefits Being in a Friends Group brings a sense of wellbeing to many members. “I couldn’t have made a more inspired choice,” says Shelley Tuck of joining the Western Cape’s Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (founded in 1992), of which she is now chairperson. “I have met some wonderful, passionate, and knowledgeable ladies (and the odd gentleman) on our various hikes and activities. I’m also in awe of the intimate knowledge that our hike leaders have of the many, intricate pathways in the mountains and the encyclopaedic knowledge some members have of the flowers we see on our routes.” One of the greatest rewards for Karin Smith, treasurer of Friends of Lions Head and Signal Hill (1996), Western Cape, is “the feeling that I can be part of caring for my surroundings, that I can contribute to make a small part of this world better. I have also met and befriended the nicest people”. ••• A tribute to Friends Groups

WESSA’s vision is to be a highly effective and well-supported champion of the environment. WESSA couldn’t have asked for better partners than these volunteers, who continue to do their remarkable work in conserving, rehabilitating, or preventing inappropriate developments in areas they care about. The range of Friends activities is diverse too, from controlling alien plants to public education to repairing facilities to lobbying for formal conservation protection of their areas. (Many have been acknowledged for their dedication and environmental achievements at WESSA award ceremonies.) Mature Friends Groups are also valuable sources of local information and expertise on environmental matters for their community, environmental authorities and WESSA. ••• Looking ahead WESSA Chair Richard Lewis expressed the vision for WESSA- affiliated Friends Groups in his chairman’s AGM Report 2014/15: “I urge that we continue to grow the mindset that, actually, only you can take care of matters in your locality; so take up the challenge, rally others around you in caring for your local bit of earth and help grow WESSA’s circle of influence across the country. Caring for the earth is exhilarating and I believe it is our duty to do so in every little way we can.” Bean, who continues to explore her passion for conservation (her bookshelf is filled with reading on the topic), is often frustrated that she can’t do more. “I’ve never enjoyed relaxing, but at my age I’ve been forced to!” “A hack group that has been working for nine years – that’s 2,945 hours (more than one year in total) of ‘war against the aliens’!” Penny Clifton-Smith, Chairperson of Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve (1986/7), Western Cape “The first group to be up and running outside of the Western Cape… and we’re still going strong 15 years later” Marion Mengell, founder of Friends of Nylsvley (1991), Limpopo “A Flora Documentation Programme (FDP) that contributes immensely to the documentation of wildflowers – 1601 of the 2355 species found in the Cape have been photographed and documented by the group” Shelley Tuck, Chairperson of Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (1992), Western Cape some of our proudest MOMENTS

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20 | 90 years of people caring for the earth

21 | 90 years of people caring for the earth