African Wildlife and Environment Issue 65

DESTINATION

DESTINATION

up in the Tongaat area, he was bitten by the ‘botany bug’ and collected butterflies and studied frogs. By the time he began farming along the coast south of Mtunzini he was impassioned by the beauty he found here. The twin streams on his farm were a paradise of swamp forest, papyrus marshes and water lilies floating on deep, crystal clear pools. In those days it was possible to canoe from the confluence of the streams right to the mouth. Soon he had made his acquaintance with the rich diversity of Ongoye Forest and was part of the pioneering scientific exploration of Maputaland in the late 1940s. His excitement

is the key to life on earth and then planted a tree. But the most important lesson that Ian taught was that individuals can make a vital difference when it comes to caring for the environment. Few left his presence without being moved by his enthusiasm and commitment, and many owe the joy they experience in a natural environment to the lessons learnt at Twinstreams. In his lifetime, he estimated that he had planted over 80 000 indigenous trees – not only on his own farm but wherever he felt the landscape needed a bit of ‘cheering up’.

A place in the shade TWINSTREAMS

Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre, which is run by WESSA, is right in the middle of a beautiful dune forest, nestled on the outskirts of the magnificent eco-village of Mtunzini on the pristine coastline of Zululand.

Kim Steinberg

Mtunzini’s sense of place owes much to Ian’s voluntary tree-planting and guidance. Ian was recognised in later years for his tremendous ‘lifetime contribution’ to conservation and the natural sciences with an honorary MSc, two honorary doctorates and many community awards. Ian completely transformed cane and timber lands into the paradise that we have here today! Twinstreams has an absolutely pristine, rehabilitated coastal dune forest for you to reconnect and refuel your soul. It’s a paradise like you’ve never seen before, and also happens to be the oldest and the greatest education centre in the whole of South Africa! In 1987 Twinstreams was sold to Mondi who agreed to ensure that it continued in its role as an environmental education centre under the capable management of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). You just HAVE to

A Mangrove Kingfisher surveying the area

and boundless enthusiasm at the discoveries of this wondrous natural heritage led him to found South Africa’s first environmental education centre at Twinstreams. During the 1960s, with the intensification of farming and increased pressure on the land, Ian witnessed the loss of the paradise he had found on his arrival and his message took on an urgency well in advance of the present debate on global climate change. The conservation centre at Mick’s Park was soon transformed into a living laboratory, visited by international scientists and academics, but Ian always understood the importance of getting the message across to the ‘ordinary’ folk who perhaps didn’t know the difference between a guava tree and a Cleistanthus schlechteri ! He was always available for a walk through the forests that he had rehabilitated, and a wide cross section of people, ranging from theWomen’s Institute to Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Harry Oppenheimer, visited Twinstreams, heard the message that water

come and see the amazing things he did here… WESSA Twinstreams Centre has an abundance of activities offered on the property, such as team building; research opportunities; hands-on environmental learning within an array of exciting ecosystems; exposure to amazing plants and animals and many interesting, fun filled moments. WESSA has experienced, enthusiastic field guides to make your experience more meaningful, and great cooks who will ensure that you never go hungry during your stay at Twinstreams. We have an array of accommodation, ranging from dorms to cabins and even a deluxe home. Please visit our website www.twinstreams.org to see what we have on offer. Other must-do activities when visiting WESSA Twinstreams include trips to the nearby mangrove swamps, estuary, extensive sandy beaches with kilometres of untouched beauty and shady forest hikes along with superlative birding. These are only some of the few life-changing experiences awaiting you in this amazing piece of paradise. The Centre

Teambuilding at Twinstreams, a fun-filled family event

The Zuluword emthunzini means ‘a place in the shade’ but in the history of this beautiful small coastal town it refers specifically to the place under the milkwood trees near the Mlalazi River where the White Zulu chief, John Dunn, would meet with the tribal elders of the area. Visiting the town today gives exactly that feeling - a place in the shade. With a sub-tropical climate year round (humid summers and mild winters) and a high annual rainfall, Mtunzini- or ‘The Village’, as the locals often refer to it - boasts a clean, safe, peaceful and abundant environment. Mtunzini was declared a Conservancy in 1995 and has also been awarded

for its commitment to the preservation of its natural heritage. ‘Twinstreams’ originally started as an sugar cane farm. It is currently set in the dune forests right between two streams, namely the Siyaya and Amanzimnyama. It was started by a man by the name of Ian Garland, whose lifetime work of caring for the environment has left a monumental legacy, which is felt daily, far beyond Mtunzini and his beloved Siyaya catchment. Ian’s wisdom and knowledge continues to be passed on through the Centre which he founded more than 55 years ago. Ian’s love for nature began when as a boy growing

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