The Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora met on Thursday night (February 1) at the Benoni Country Club for an evening of fellowship and to learn more about the Korsman Conservancy bird sanctuary.
Jane Trembath, chairperson of the conservancy explained to the club that preserving the conservancy, which is based in Westdene, is important because it is the home to many creatures.
These creatures are birds, butterflies, bugs, beetles, dragonflies, water mongoose, Greater Cane and Vlei rats, fish and African Marsh Terrapins (turtles) to name a few.
“I have recorded 36 species of butterflies and 15 species of dragonflies,” Trembath said.
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Trembath also explained one of the main differences between a beetle and a bug is that beetles have a biting mouth and bugs have a sucking mouth.
“In South Africa, there are only 168 species of dragonflies.”
However, these creatures are always endangered by invasive items such as litter, purple top flowers and weeping willows to name a few.
Trembath, who is also a captain, said she had invested her knowledge of being a pilot into managing the pan.
https://soundcloud.com/benoni-city-times/listen-jane-trembath-talks-about-being-a-female-pilot
“I learned that to be a leader you need persistence and I learned how to deal with the volunteers,” she said.
To Trembath, managing the conservancy is something she enjoys doing and uses funds raised to keep the pan clean and safe for the creatures.
“The grasslands are very important in the pan. Birds nest in the long grass,” she said.
The pan also consists of emerging sedges, rockery, reeds and wildlife such as flamingos.
The pilot and chairperson also provided the Korsman website address, www.korsmanconservancy.com, to the club members if they had any queries.
Apart from the educational talk, the club had dinner and a wine raffle which was won by Carl Stockenstrom.
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