The Grahamstown branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) has been quietly working behind the scenes to promote environmental causes and monitor potentially unsafe practices.
The Grahamstown branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) has been quietly working behind the scenes to promote environmental causes and monitor potentially unsafe practices.
So it was with tremendous pride that they recently accepted a national award from the Society for their work.
"The Branch has been active since the '70s and has had many eminent environmentalists on the committee," Grahamstown Branch Chairman Margaret Crampton told Grocott's Mail on Wednesday 8 October.
"Our watchdog activities include monitoring the environmental impact of housing developments in Grahamstown, renewable energy operations and kaolin and limestone mining locally," she said, adding that they are particularly concerned about the management of the Grahamstown landfill site.
Every month the branch hosts films, talks and presentations. This month they are focusing on coasts and oceans. Since 1974, WESSA has honoured those deserving of recognition for sustained efforts and impact to environmental conservation or to environmental education in South Africa.
The Grahamstown Branch got the thumbs-up for the unassuming yet inclusive manner in which it supports environmental work across the Cacadu district and the wider Eastern Cape.
The Grahamstown Branch received the award in a prestigious ceremony at Hartbeespoort, Magaliesburg, on 13 September.
Crampton said the members are the unsung heroes of significant developments in the natural science and environmental education fields over the years. They include committee members Jenny Gon and Roy Lubke, as well as present and past members Mike Bruton, Lorraine Mullins, Peter Breetzke and Peter Jackson, Alex Weaver and Pat Irwin.
Every year the local branch holds wildlife experience theme talks about such topics as elephants, deserts, mountains and forests. The branch works with Rhodes University and other interest groups.
“A notable activity of the branch has been the publication of books," Crampton said, adding that they are working on A Guide to Grahamstown for publication next year.
"The Guide to the Eastern and Southern Cape Coasts is currently out of print but due to popular demand we are looking to reprint it," Crampton said.
