Gumboot June 2011

WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION TAKES STOCK OF ITS INVESTMENT IN WETLAND RESEARCH

WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION TAKES STOCK OF ITS INVESTMENT IN  WETLAND RESEARCH
This year the Water Research Commission (WRC) celebrates 40 years of developing and supporting a water-related knowledge base in South Africa. Part of this legacy includes an impressive track record as one of the principal funders and advocates of wetland-related research.

VITAL STATISTICS

VITAL STATISTICS
Look at these impressive WRC wetland research impacts and outputs figures:
WRC Investments in Wetland Research by 2010
• R50 million total investment
• R37 million disbursed to about 70 research organizations and 180 researchers
• 67 research studies relating to wetlands (some still ongoing)

Economic Impacts
• 43% of the research geared to support sustainable development and sustainable practice
Social Impacts
• 26% of research projects produced knowledge to support sustainable wetland use and livelihood development
• 70% of the research projects supported career development and employment through studentships and employment
of merging researchers
• 80%of projects engaged female researchers
• 55% of projects engaged historically disadvantaged researchers

Impacts on institutional development
• Average of 12 organisations involved in each research project
• About 32% of research projects produced knowledge and tools that support the natural resource management community of practice
• 10% supported integrated management, policy development, governance models and management of water supply
• 15% supported policy implementation
• 15% supported wetlands and wastewater management10% supported conservation and development planning
• 20% supported improved decision-making for planning and regulatory functions

Environmental impacts
• About 23% wetland related projects produced knowledge and tools to support mitigation of impacts and assessment of wetland condition
• 50% produced knowledge and tools to support overall environmental protection
• 44% contributed new data on wetlands
• 10% related to wetland rehabilitation
To obtain the report, An Impact Assessment of the Research funded by WRC on Wetland Management in South Africa (Report No: KV 253/10) contact Publications at Tel: (012) 330-0340; Fax: (012) 331-2565; Email: orders@wrc.org.za or Visit: www.wrc.org.za to download a free copy.

“ENERGY RESOURCE PACK” AVAILABLE FROM WESSA SHARE-NET

“ENERGY RESOURCE PACK” AVAILABLE FROM WESSA SHARE-NET
WESSA Share-Net has put together a resource pack to support learning, teaching and finding out more about ‘Energy’. The pack costs R100 (including VAT and postage) and includes the following subjects:
• Energy for Keeps: How to do a project on renewable energy for the senior primary grades.
• Ideas for energy projects. Promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
• My Carbon Footprint. This toolkit helps us understand the implications of our actions.
• Climate Change Lesson Plans on CD. Over 30 lesson plans from Grades R to 12.
• Enviro Facts: Energy; and Energy and the Environment.
• A one-page information sheet on Energy including tips for saving energy (no cost options, low cost options and ‘invest to save’ options).

And, while stocks last …
• Global Warming. A two-in-one educational booklet and word games, featuring causes, effects and solutions. Compiled by the Department of Environmental Affairs.
• Climate Change – Why should I as a person of faith be concerned? Compiled by the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute
• Energy and the Curriculum. A series of activities and lessons.
 To order your pack, contact Hazel on (033) 3303931 ext 124 or e-mail hazel@wessa.co.za

A TRAGIC LOSS FOR AWARD AND THE WETLAND COMMUNITY

A TRAGIC LOSS FOR AWARD AND THE WETLAND COMMUNITY
Working for Wetlands is sad to announce the passing away of Tessa Cousins (56), a former Director for the Association for Water Advancement and Rural Development (AWARD). Cousins passed away recently during a mountain climbing accident in Scotland.
In her short life she worked for a number of organizations and in all of them displayed a sense of activism for the less fortunate. She was a woman of many talents, a good facilitator, a trainer who also juggled farming and infected everyone around her with her enthusiasm. She held a master’s degree from Wye College in the United Kingdom. 
 
The Working for Wetlands Programme will remember her for the way she engaged with various wetland community members, getting them to understand and embrace the concept of the wise use of wetlands. Her personality, attitude and approach made our work so much easier.
Eric Munzhedzi, Working for Wetlands Implementation and Aftercare Manager, said it is a really big loss to the programme. “In wise use of wetlands and community involvement she was really a wealth of knowledge. Her patience and commitment to community projects is quite amazing. Wise use of wetlands was just theoretical, but through Tessa’s involvement together with the AWARD team we started to know wise use in action. Dealing with communities is not always an easy job, it needs patience and zeal but with her it was where her joy was. We will always remember her. May her soul rest in peace.”
In an article published by the Daily News, Cousins’ family described her as a “fearless explorer and climber from early childhood who loved the outdoors”.
She will be dearly remembered for her energy and vitality and for the legacy she left in the Working for Wetlands Programme.