Honorary officers recognised at awards

‘VOLUNTEERS don’t necessarily have the time, but they have the heart.’ This is an expression that best sums up the North Durban honorary officers who were recently recognised at the eThekwini Sustainable Living Exhibition, where they were awarded first place for biodiversity.

The officers also received a certificate of merit in May from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The honorary officers are no strangers to accolades: last year they won the prestigious Biodiversity Award at the Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards and also won an external award at the KZN Ezemvelo Excellency Awards.

Cecilia Benskin, an honorary officer at the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, said the awards recognised the officers’ hard work but also recognised that this was a team effort.

“This was our third year at the exhibition, and winning this award was a surprise but a nice reward. There’s nothing stronger than an environmental volunteer’s heart. The nature reserve, beside having the largest population of mangrove trees, is also home to more than a million crabs and many KZN dwarf chameleons. Our passion is about raising awareness for the reserve, because it’s one of nature’s gems right in the heart of Durban North.

“The funny thing was we didn’t even hear we had won. They announced it over the loud speaker, but we were so busy explaining to visitors about the importance of the reserve that we didn’t hear. We love nature and for us, educating the younger generation about the importance of mangroves and the part they play in nature is very important. Wetlands all over the world are endangered, and we will keep raising awareness for Beachwood,” Benskin said.

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