Especially when the group represents not only a multitude of countries, but also generations. However, this is exactly what was accomplished during Gondwana Private Game Reserve's annual home owner's weekend last week, when families and staff worked together on a vital erosion control project.
This year, 12 families, along with staff members from Gondwana, rehabilitated a one-hectare area sloping down into a river.
During this annual get-together, projects arising from management issues are discussed and tackled head-on. Last year, the focus was on the removal of alien plants.
This weekend, erosion was the hot topic, with Mark Rutherford, owner of Gondwana, presenting interesting facts regarding the reserve's unique geology, noting the causes and effect of erosion, as well as how it can be reversed.
The rehabilitation process involved cutting down wattle trees, which was laid out 2m apart diagonally across the eroded area and secured by wattle pegs. Ditches were filled up with rocks and covered with top soil. Seeds were sown and protected with a cut grass cover in order to form a mulch.
"It's wonderful seeing our home owners, working together with such enthusiasm -not only since they have a vested interest here, but because they support Gondwana's conservation plight whole heartedly," Rutherford said.
John Fraser, chairman of the home owners' association, fully agreed and added that participating in projects like these creates an understanding of the conservation challenges faced.
"Getting involved like this sparks even more ideas, developing into new projects which can be implemented to add value to the conservation work done at Gondwana. Having the youngsters involved like this is a brilliant investment in the future," he said.
But the weekend was most certainly not all work and no play. An enormous amount of fun was had during an exciting and educational treasure hunt, stretching across the 11000 hectare reserve. Facilitated by reserve manager, Joe Erasmus, teams were sent back and forth on game vehicles, even cycling certain distances or kayaking in search for clues. Bonus points were given for identifying birds, rock formations, fynbos and so on, which was a great learning experience for the whole family.
Apart from the groundbreaking relocation of Thandora at Gondwana in March, an elephant cow, resident at the Bloemfontein Zoo for more than 20 years, more highlights are to follow in 2013. The reserve will be welcoming five more giraffe this weekend and two more hippos later this year.
View more photos here.
Gondwana home owners annually assist staff at Gondwana in projects adding value to conservation. This year was no exception.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
