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Welcome to Working for Wetlands site
Wetlands play a vital role in human health and well-being yet out of more than 114 000 wetlands that have been mapped all over the country many are either damaged or destroyed due to human impact.
In 2000 the Working for Wetlands Programme was launched due to a need to rehabilitate these wetlands spread throughout the country. To date there are about 40 wetlands rehabilitation projects all over South Africa. This has not only seen thousands of people getting employment but has also made an impact in skills development.
In 2009 alone, Working for Wetlands rehabilitated 95 wetlands in all nine provinces and in the process created employment for more than 1500 people and made use of 250 small businesses.
The programme is implemented by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) on behalf of the departments of Environmental Affairs (DEA); Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Water Affairs (DWA). It forms part of the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme, which seeks to draw unemployed people into the productive sector of the economy.
A Proposed National Wetland Classification System FinalisedA PROPOSED NATIONAL WETLAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FINALISED
After several years of development and testing, a South African Wetland Classification System (SAWCS) has been completed. The need for such a system prompted the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), through its National Wetland Inventory project, to initiate a collaborative process to develop a classification by which wetland habitat types with shared natural attributes can be grouped together. The classification system will enhance the value of the spatial data gathered through mapping by the inventory. It will also provide wetland specialists, academics, government and other role players with a common language when distinguishing different types of wetlands for management and conservation purposes.
More »Latest National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA) updateLatest National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA) update
The final NFEPA shapefiles (rivers, wetlands and fish) now have metadata and are ready for uploading. This data will be uploaded into a user-friendly portal accessible to everyone in the near future. Those who can use the raw data files can download them at:
ftp://ftp.csir.co.za/NRE/Ecosystems/NFEPA/
More »SBD forms performance auditSANBI under the programme Working for Wetlands would like to request a quote to compile a comprehensive report for Performance Audit. The objective of this invite is to appoint a suitable Service Provider that can assist Working for Wetlands (SANBI) with performance audit for 2010-2011 period.
Please click here for terms of reference and SBD forms to be used in completing the quote. Closing date for this quote is the 14th of June 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
If you encounter problems downloading the documents, please call Umesh Bahadur on 079 497 3229 or send him an email on u.bahadur@sanbi.org.za
SBD forms regularity audit developmentSANBI under the programme Working for Wetlands would like to request a quote to compile a comprehensive report for Composite Regularity Audit development. The objective of this invite is to appoint a suitable Service Provider that can assist Working for Wetlands (SANBI) with Composite Regularity Audit for 2010-2011 period.
Please click here for the terms of reference and SBD forms to be used in completing the quote. Closing date for this quote is the 14th of June 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
If you encounter problems downloading the documents, please call Umesh Bahadur on 079 497 3229 or send him an email on u.bahadur@sanbi.org.za
A CALL FOR QUOTES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WETLAND MAPPING GUIDELINESA CALL FOR QUOTES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WETLAND MAPPING GUIDELINES
SANBI invites suitable potential service providers to submit quotes for the development of wetland mapping guideline.Closing date for submission of proposal submission: 11:00 am on Friday 17 June 2011
For informal tender documentation, including terms of reference please click here:
If you encounter problems while downloading please call Namhla Mbona on 012 8435294 or email: n.mbona@sanbi.org.za
The first announcement for the 8th Kimberley Biodiversity ResearchNote: The first announcement for the 8th Kimberley Biodiversity Research
Symposium.
The 8th Kimberley Biodiversity Research Symposium will be held in Kimberley on 06 September 2011. This one-day symposium will be hosted by the Northern Cape Department of Environment & Nature Conservation with the support of McGregor Museum, SAEON, SANPark’s and De Beers. If you are interested in attending or presenting, please complete the attached registration form and return it before 12 August 2011. While papers on biological, water related, agricultural and any research conducted in the Kimberley region will be most relevant to the symposium, biological studies conducted elsewhere in the Northern Cape will also be considered. As in previous years, there will be opportunity for 20 minute oral presentations (15 min presentations followed by 5 min of questions). Posters may also be submitted. A draft programme will be circulated at the end of August. Teas and a light lunch will be provided. A registration fee of R100.00 per person will be requested to cover the catering expenses and delegates should make their own arrangements for transport and accommodation.
For further details and application forms, please contact: Mr Ramollo Peter
General: 053 807 7430
Direct: 053 807 7442
Email: ramollopp@gmail.com
CASE STUDY: The Umlazi IV Landfill Site CASE STUDY: The Umlazi IV Landfill Site
Situated in South Durban, within Umlazi and bordering the Isipingo Township, the Umlazi Landfill site arose surreptitiously like many other developments of the “old South Africa”. The Isipingo Secondary School during the mid 1980’s experienced bouts of “uncomfortable smells” emanating beyond the westward fence. At the time, looking beyond the walls, one could see little except the graveyard as beyond this was a valley being used as a landfill. As the years progressed, it became evident that the smells were in fact coming from what was no more a valley but an extension of the graveyard, flat and wide in the distance. Following up on this, it was clear that the poor ambient quality of the air surrounding the school was directly related to the landfill site, which was in fact growing in size. From this point on, the communication with the “Health Departments” of Isipingo and Durban began. From 1989 onwards the odours became stronger and occurrences more frequent. With these came more complaints to authorities. At best, there was a visit from an apologetic official from the health authority, followed by “technical” excuses from the company “Waste-tech” about wind direction causing the odours. At worst there was total silence upon complaint. This evasive approach continued until 1993.
More »A call for quotes for the development of wetland mapping guidelines for South Africa
A CALL FOR QUOTES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WETLAND MAPPING GUIDELINES
SANBI invites suitable potential service providers to submit quotes for the development of wetland mapping guideline.Closing date for submission of proposal submission: 11:00 am on Friday 17 June 2011
Contact person for queries: Namhla Mbona 012 8435294 or email: n.mbona@sanbi.org.za
For informal tender documentation, including terms of reference please click here:
More »A Proposed National Wetland Classification System finalisedA PROPOSED NATIONAL WETLAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FINALISED
After several years of development and testing, a South African Wetland Classification System (SAWCS) has been completed. The need for such a system prompted the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), through its National Wetland Inventory project, to initiate a collaborative process to develop a classification by which wetland habitat types with shared natural attributes can be grouped together. The classification system will enhance the value of the spatial data gathered through mapping by the inventory. It will also provide wetland specialists, academics, government and other role players with a common language when distinguishing different types of wetlands for management and conservation purposes.
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