From teaching TTT to producing PPP

Great Fish River Reserve (SA): After long learning days of species identification, sites visits and reference work, the EarthCollective team undertaking the Vegetation Monitoring Programme (VMP) believe they have nearly mastered recognizing most of the general occurring tree species in the extensive thicket bush of the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR).

“Only because of the excellent knowledge, stamina and patience of the field rangers, are we now able to recognize most species ourselves. However, I am glad the guys will join us with their eager hands during the entire field work period, if for nothing else than for their good humour and ability to keep an eye out for nosey rhinos!”, observes Dieter while nervously gazing around toward the dense bush. Field rangers Bongani Sihluku (Eric); Buyisile Mkulunga (Leon) and Thandekile Tilese (Gladmen) work for the rhino monitoring programme within the GFRR to assess the home range and habitat use of these majestic and powerful animals.

“The rangers have scratched our backs, now it is our turn to scratch theirs” observes Coen after explaining the principles and techniques of the monitoring project. “Upon completing this project, the rangers will be able to carry out the vegetation monitoring themselves and train other colleagues or successors in the coming years” states Coen.

Over the last weeks, the field rangers have become really ‘fired up’, “The rangers fully understand the method we’re using and are now bringing in suggestions of their own on how to improve it which is great” recounts team member Dieter Van den Broeck enthusiastically as leans on the two meter long aluminium vegetation measuring ruler. Coen adds, “Besides teaching the field rangers the techniques, we’ve had the chance to also teach Ntkoso, Lindsey (GFRR Nature Conservers) and Stefan (Eastern Cape Park trainee) who are now learning the monitoring method. Some more South African students will assist us in the field next month”. It seems to be a serious case of local capacity building or in short: Participation, Patience, Passion and – as a fourth and fifth ‘P’ for good measure – Power and Pleasure.