Wakkerstroom Crane Conservation Project
- By: Debbie Thiart
- Short URL: http://www.backabuddy.co.za/cranes
Personal message
Wakkerstroom forms the centre of one of the last remaining relatively untouched, contiguous grassland areas in South Africa. Grasslands and their network of wetlands perform an important catchment function for the water-stressed areas of SA. They also provide an ideal habitat for cranes. Cranes are thus flagships species for the health of our grasslands and wetlands – both of which are threatened ecosystems in South Africa. Wakkerstroom is unique in that it is one of only five isolated areas in South Africa where all three crane species can be found.
Glenn Ramke, has tirelessly focussed on crane conservation efforts within Wakkerstroom for the EWT since 1998, with only her basic expenses being covered. She has been highly effective in creating awareness of environmental issues and increasing the pride that the local community has for their cranes during this time. Most importantly, she has focused on building local capacity within local communities to ensure that conservation of the Wakkerstroom environment is adopted and undertaken by the local people using the natural resources.
Glenn has managed to facilitate the roll out of a Working for Water programme in the area to clear alien vegetation as well as get farmers to change to more environmentally friendly land use practices. She has also trained a young local man in environmental education whom is now formally employed by the EWT’s Conservation Leadership Group in KwaZulu-Natal.
Today, the Wakkerstroom Crane Conservation Project comprises ongoing crane and wetland monitoring and encourages the local communities to actively participate in and take responsibility for crane conservation and related issues. Local capacity is being developed to ensure the future survival of cranes through the mentorship and education of local people.
Funding is required in order for Glenn to continue the important work she so generously contributes to this area. Our target for this important project for 2009 was 25 000. This programme is ongoing and we are hoping to up our target to 75 000 for 2010. We are therefore once again appealing to all to help us reach this target.
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
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Please donate generously.
Many thanks for your support.
Donations
| Name | Comment | Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuckoo Bird Club | We applaud your dedication and committment | Jan 08, 2010 | R 2 500.00 |
| Tim de Jongh | Keep the CONSERVATION flag flying! | Sep 14, 2009 | R 50.00 |
| Brian and Kate | Sep 09, 2009 | R 50.00 | |
| Kerryn | Aug 24, 2009 | R 500.00 | |
| Julie | South Africa needs more people like you. Well done from Klipkop Conservancy. | Aug 17, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Woods & Associates | Aug 17, 2009 | R 250.00 | |
| Tony Hodges | Keep up the good work | Aug 13, 2009 | R 200.00 |
| Judy and Derek Broom | Great effort. Good luck for your target | Aug 13, 2009 | R 200.00 |
| Michael McMillan | In lieu of a birthday gift to Michael - keep up your campaigning for the cranes :) | Aug 13, 2009 | R 150.00 |
| Craig Gebhardt | Aug 13, 2009 | R 500.00 | |
| Frank Nourse | Aug 13, 2009 | R 1 000.00 | |
| Taflin Gebhardt | These beautiful birds need your help - Thanks! | Aug 13, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| L. Hansen | Greetings to the cranes | Aug 13, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| JW | Aug 13, 2009 | R 100.00 | |
| Paul | Aug 13, 2009 | R 250.00 | |
| jon smallie | Aug 13, 2009 | R 200.00 | |
| Ben | Thank You ! | Aug 13, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Atholl | Good luck | Aug 13, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Minet Visser | Aug 13, 2009 | R 50.00 | |
| Brenton. | Greetings Debbie. 2nd donation as promised. | Jul 01, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Geoff McIlleron | Our cranes need your good work | Jun 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Regina Phelps | Jun 14, 2009 | R 1 000.00 | |
| jenny w | great initiative | Jun 11, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Smuts gesin | Jun 09, 2009 | R 1 000.00 | |
| Tanya Smith | Glenn, you're an inspiration! | May 24, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Barbi | Wakkerstroom will always have a special place in our hearts. | May 21, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Antonio Rivera | Great work you are doing. Thank you! | May 21, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Mark Dumbleton | Good luck with the Project! | May 20, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Gisela Ortner | Good luck with the project, from Gisela Ortner | May 20, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| J duP | Birds of a feather | May 19, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Louis Eksteen | Visit the Blue Crane breeding on my farm in the Free State when you have the chance. 0832743471 | May 19, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Joan Provis | The cranes are lucky to have you on their side | May 18, 2009 | R 300.00 |
| JB | May 18, 2009 | R 1 000.00 | |
| Wetlands Country House & Sheds | Wetlands Country House & Sheds | May 18, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Malcolm & Lynda Warner | Thanks or your wonderful work Glenn. Malcolm & Lynda Warner | May 18, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Dare Family | Today I saw +/-30 Blue Cranes in the Western Cape, and then received your email evening. Fate? | May 17, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Piet Steyn | Go for it! | May 17, 2009 | R 150.00 |
| Malbev | May 17, 2009 | R 100.00 | |
| clarinda kugel | hope it helps | May 17, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Warwick & Michele Tarboton | Congrats on all you've achieved Glenn | May 16, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| saskia gil | good luck and god bless | May 16, 2009 | R 1 000.00 |
| Verity Hawarden | May 16, 2009 | R 100.00 | |
| Herman & Irmanda Roos | Sterkte met die werk. | May 16, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Marilyn Thiart | Keep it up Glenn | May 16, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Judith Hawarden | For my grandchildren Judith Hawarden | May 16, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Dave Edge | Great work Debbie! | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Marge | Wonderful work Debbie and Glen | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| niki and barry stevens | We enjoyed our birding experience in Wakkerstroom | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Denis | God Bless You | May 15, 2009 | R 50.00 |
| Livingstone Trails | Good luck with the program | May 15, 2009 | R 2 000.00 |
| Hannes Henckel | May 15, 2009 | R 250.00 | |
| Mike & Biddy | keep up the good work! | May 15, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Brenton J H | To Debbie and the Cranes from Adelaide, Australia. | May 15, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Alf Johnson | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 | |
| Wildlifer | Keep up the good work | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Dave & Christine | Keep going, Dave & Christine | May 15, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| MCGEE FAMILY | well done | May 15, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Charlie Moores | Good luck from 10,000 Birds! | May 14, 2009 | R 300.00 |
| Gail | A great cause | May 14, 2009 | R 250.00 |
| Karin Duncker Public Relations | From one bird to another making a difference! | May 13, 2009 | R 500.00 |
| Dave Daley | May 12, 2009 | R 300.00 | |
| Heather | May 12, 2009 | R 100.00 | |
| CJ | May 12, 2009 | R 300.00 | |
| Alison | Good Luck Debbie, I hope you reach your target | May 12, 2009 | R 25.00 |
| Minet Visser | Keep up the good work | May 12, 2009 | R 100.00 |
| Kerryn | Good Luck Glenn from Kerryn Morrison | May 11, 2009 | R 25.00 |
Endangered Wildlife Trust |
The Endangered Wildlife Trust focuses only on conserving threatened species and ecosystems in Southern Africa. |
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