Previous News Flashes
SAPS care about our Biodiversity 2007
On Sunday afternoon the 28th of January the De Deur reservists , ward 5 councillor Rob Jones and members of the Thorntree Conservancy did a follow up on a previous cleanup they had done close to the De Deur/Walkerville landfill site
50 bags of rubbish and other dumped rubbish including a mattress ,canopies and masonite were collected.
We are starting to make a serious dent in the rubbish on that koppie. Our aim is to rehabilitate this site to it’s former status. This is only possible because our community are so dedicated to retaining our natural heritage
Toxins in Thorntree hit the headlines December 2006
In the quiet week after Christmas Thorntree committee members discovered about two tons of extremely toxic Sodium Fluoro Silicate dumped in bags in the Walkerville landfill site. Urgent calls to GDACE, and to DWAF went unheeded – everyone was on leave. Finally experts from the Spillage Unit from Vereeniging came to Thorntree’s assistance, cordoned off the site and warned residents not to go near it because of the danger of contact with the toxin. "We were even warned that breathing in fumes given off by the substance could be extremely dangerous," said Ivan Parkes, Thorntree’s chairman.
When the media got wind of the situation Ivan was bombarded with interviews. It was main news for a week on Radio 702 and eTV, Jacaranda, SAfm, Beeld, Mail & Guardian and several other media also covered the situation.
Unfortunately the crisis was made much worse by the use of bulldozers to collect the bags, which broke open and spread even further. “When it started raining our main fear was that the stuff would leach into the underground water – we’re all on boreholes in this area,” said Ivan. “We have the details of the dumpers and action will be taken. This is a disgusting display of irresponsibility and we intend ensuring that whoever did this will be prosecuted. To date the cost of clearing the landfill, finding a suitable site and doing water tests is approaching R500 000.”
Tests showed that the toxins did not get into the underground water, much to the relief of residents.
Thorntree Clean Up 8 July 2006
We got together at 0930 at the entrance to the Conservancy and started cleaning up the road verges. We managed to do about 3km.The Amount of rubbish in this short distance is mind boggling. 62 Plastic bags were filled. These cleanups are not only for the children We need the participation of the moms and dads also. A lot of fun and laughter was all part of the day.
The Mail And Guardian Greening the Future 2006
Merit Award For Environmental best practice
in not for profit organisation
Thorntree Conservancy
Care starts on the Doorstep
Thorntree Conservancy Wins Endangered Wildlife Trust
Biodiversity Award 2006
Best Biodiversity practice in a Gauteng Conservancy
Trophy Sponsored by the Endangered Wildlife Trust EWT
The judges felt that Thorntree demonstrated passion and an excellent commitment to biodiversity conservation. The development of a sustainable utilisation project, using local plants to create employment opportunities and to supply the muthi trade is applauded. Extensive species lists are essential for biodiversity inventorying and conservation and the conservancy is actively working to conserve some of its varied threatened species. A variety of important biomes exist in the conservancy and interaction with other conservancies, local councils, schools and communities is strong. The “no-go” area for off-road vehicles is also an important feature of the conservancy in the presence of highly sensitive species.
Thorntree Receives a Bronze award for best practice in rehabilitating a wetland 2006
Good assessment of the value, and features of their wetlands and efforts to conserve them. Good interactions with local councils, other conservancies and the public. We particularly liked the efforts to establish a sustainable use component using local plants.
Drat! Thorntree does it again
At the recent Conservancy Fun Run in Cullinan, Thorntree Conservancy walked off with the Hardekool Floating Trophy for having brought the largest team of participants. Pressed for an explanation, Thorntree’s Ivan Parkes was forced to confess that the numbers were made possible by the generosity of their local estate agent, Keith Brown, who sponsored the kids from the local ABC Kids’ Home.
There were prizes galore for the 70-odd runners. “There’s more fun than funds in such an event,” said Joan du Toit, Cullinan’s chairperson, when she thanked her team for their help in organizing this successful programme. “But it’s worth it in terms of community spirit”. GCA committee members all turned up in support but didn't win any prizes. (Actually, they didn't even run...)
Giant African Bullfrog
The Giant African Bullfrog Has Been Seen in the Conservancy Thorntree Conservancy is presently participating in a Bullfrog survey
Tree Society Finds Plants on Red Data list
More Info to Follow