Over the past two years, the PRESENCE network has worked closely together with Kerry Bobbins, an MSc student from Rhodes University. Kerry developed a spatial plan for the alluvial fans in the Baviaanskloof as part of her studies and was partly funded by Living Lands.
A personal reflection:
My involvement in the restoration of living landscapes initiative in the Baviaanskloof Valley has provided me with a fantastic opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience beyond what is expected of a university Masters degree. Working alongside Living Lands and being an active member of the PRESENCE Learning Network I have become part of a broad and more encompassing alluvial fan restoration initiative involving farmers, stakeholders and academics using key ideas from my Masters thesis. It has been an enlightening experience working, chatting and socializing with PRESENCE partners at the many meetings, workshops (student and other), field trips and spending time in the PRESENCE Learning Village. The opportunity to mix both academically and socially with international students both in the field and around the camp fire has allowed me to cultivate a new appreciation for the environment and realize the greater importance of managing ecosystem goods and services.
The student and international workshops run by PRESENCE have always been informative by creating a platform for the integration of individuals, ideas, thoughts and questions about our environment and more specifically, The Baviaanskloof Valley. PRESENCE in the Baviaanskloof slogan holds true to the name as the not only the human-environment relationships that are an initiative priority, but the human-human ones too. Creating awareness and understanding between individuals and between humans and nature is a priority to ensure a viable long-term change. Meetings were never adjourned without time for self-reflection, the critical reflection of project outcomes and the discussion of future trajectories for the network. The practical components of PRESENCE meetings have inspired me to get stuck in and use what I know to contribute to something great.
My involvement as part of an inter-disciplinary student team for fan selection and restoration in the second stage of the Living Lands alluvial fan restoration project has made me proud to say that I have played a role in the restoration of ecosystem goods and services in the Baviaanskloof Valley for all stakeholders. Working as part of a team has forced me out of my comfort zone and challenged my ability to relate theory to practice. All of which is a necessity for a robust and successful restoration initiative. I hope to continue to be part of the living landscape of the Baviaanskloof Valley.
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