The Training day started off with Hanlo Fouche and Dale Nortje presenting the capacity and functions of the FPA’s in the area, referring specifically to exemption from firebreaks and how to obtain burn permits. Ken Coetzee gave two excellent talks on erosion prevention and management, first in conserved areas and after tea, on roads.
As part of her talk, Klaudia Schadt introduced a new tool for Water Stewardship being rolled out by WWF under a mandate from large corporates concerned about water and food security in the Ceres Valley. She has had considerable interest from participants in registering for the training day she has now organized to demonstrate use of this tool. The PSI NatReM project report back and application process/cost for alien clearing on private land in the PSI area was ably covered by Ntsika Haleni & Lizelle Koen. Several new farmers have registered for the PSI application to the LUI scheme for renewed funding from March 2015.The Department of Agriculture was thanked heartily for their sponsorship of lunch before their representative, Elmo Maree, summarised the numerous Landcare activities in the area, highlighting the establishment of satellite nurseries on Berg River farms.
Francois van Zyl’s exciting live snake presentation, followed by Marcus Linde, who described PSI project plans to place beehives on private land. Rene Geigher gave a fascinating insight into the lack of overlap between wasp/insect species in vineyards and adjacent fynbos. Saliem Haider then gripped us with his presentation on Waste Management adaptations over the past 2 years in Stellenbosch, with Adv Martin Coetzee wrapping up the day with a very small remaining group, on the issue of sandmining in the Paardeberg area. Just before closing, Toni Kerkmann gave a quick review of the PSI front .
Thanks to Department of Landcare for sponsering lunch, thanks to PSI NatReM and DEA for sponsorship of the top class training and to Vondeling for the final glass of wine, before the last few departed.
