What is a KZN Wildlife honorary officer?
We are lucky enough on the Lower South Coast to have three active groups.
EZEMVELO KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW) honorary officers are a body of dedicated conservation volunteers who donate their time and skills to try to help preserve the biodiversity of our beautiful province.
Thanks to the wonderful Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers, this year’s Southern Shoreline Challenge, in association with Walking in Nature (WIN), has been a tremendous success with the nineth and final walk taking place this Sunday, September 17.
What is a honorary officer?
There are 52 groups, comprising of some 820 volunteers.
Allan Williams, Deputy Provincial Coordinator of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers Corps said most of the groups only operate withing the confines of game or nature reserves where they assist with various projects and fundraising. “Their core function is to assist EKZNW where ever possible,” he said.
We are lucky enough on the Lower South Coast to have three active groups.
Mpenjati and Umtamvuna groups are both associated with their respective reserves, while Umtamvuna is also active in the Red Desert Nature Reserve stewardship site.
The Mzimkhulu Group is associated with Skyline Nature Reserve but because it is so small most of their efforts are in the greater Ugu District. They are the hosts of the Southern Shoreline Challenge in association with Walking in Nature (WIN).
Each of these three groups works closely with the adjacent conservancies, often serving on the conservancy committees and the overarching South Coast Conservancy Forum.
Honorary Officers assist with numerous duties from problem of injured wildlife, invasive alien plant control, permit advice and checks, game counts, liaisons with conservancies, public displays, fundraising and general conservation advice to public and business owners, public talks fence patrols, path maintenance, Tree ID within the reserves and many other duties.
Mr Williams added they also have fun and get a great sense of achievement out of what they do.
All monies raised from any fundraising events such as the Southern Shoreline Challenge are raised under the Honorary officer Fund raising number and spending is tightly controlled.
Mr Williams said the funds raised, in this case, will be used to refurbish the Resources Centre and Information boards at Skyline Reserve in Uvongo.
Should anyone be interested in becoming a member, contact Allan Williams algi@mweb.co.za or Debbie King debbieking0306@gmail.com
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