Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust receives financial boost

The purpose of the event was to hand over a cheque to the value of R120 000 to the trust to boost their funds.

Approximately 50 people including corporate executives attended the function.

Environmentalist Stan Madden, an honorary member, was among the guests.

Ewald Meyer, chairman of the trust, says they are grateful for the support and the cheque.

“This is a special place where migrating birds are making seasonal visits from the Arctic Circle over the sea to grace us with their presence and beauty,” he says.

These birds include the little Stint, a very small wader bird and the Ruff, a medium-sized wading bird.

Although the trust was only registered in 1995, the site was launched in 2002.

The trust is a registered public benefit organisation and the trustees comprise members of the Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ekurhuleni Metro.

The trust and the metro entered into a partnership agreement on December 2, 1997, in terms of the trust agreed to manage the reserve and its environmental educational facility whilst the metro undertook responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of the property.

The aim is to secure conservation of natural vegetation and habitats together with all forms of plant and animal life on the 350ha.

Meyer says since inception, more than 70 000 visitors, which includes primary school children, have already visited the site.

Annemi Turk, Carnival City’s general manager, says they have been part of the site since 2002.

“It is a phenomenal honour to be part of the Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust,” she adds.

Turk handed over the cheque to Meyer to give the trust a financial boost.