Honorary officers recognised at wildlife AGM
The certificate recognises the officer's dedication to raising awareness about the mangroves.
THE North Durban honorary officers from the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve were recently honoured at an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife event in Pietermaritzburg. The team was awarded a ‘Certificate of Merit’ for the second year in a row. The certificate recognises the officer’s dedication to raising awareness about the mangroves.
The honorary officers are no strangers to accolades: in 2014 they won the prestigious Biodiversity Award at the Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards and they also won an external award at the KZN Ezemvelo Excellency Awards.
James Benskin, an honorary officer, at the reserve, said the awards recognised the officers’ hard work but also recognised that this was a team effort.
“It’s lovely to be recognised and it’s motivating for everyone, but it’s not something we seek out every year. I think the team really sum up what being a volunteer is, having heart. They are amazing in raising awareness and engaging with the public about conservation in and around Durban, but also here at the reserve.
Keith Swemmer, who has been an honorary officer for 27 years, says they see about 200 children from different schools on a weekly basis.
“They are the future and we will continue our work, that means doing whatever is necessary for the environment. It’s great to be recognised and it shows we don’t sit on our butts, doing nothing,” Swemmer smiled.
