South Coast to host conservation symposium
Scottburgh has two of the main venues for the event next month.
The South Coast has been chosen for this year’s Conservation Symposium which welcomes environmentally focused delegates from October 31 to November 5.
This will be the first time the area has hosted the event.
Premier Resort Cutty Sark and Dream Hotel Blue Marlin in Scottburgh are the venues that will be the centre of the symposium.
The Conservation Symposium is hosted by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, WildOceans, WildTrust, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), CapeNature, Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the Environmental Law Association (ELA).
“We are so excited to be welcoming some 250 delegates to the Conservation Symposium,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).
“This serves the dual purpose of highlighting the KZN South Coast as a key events destination, while celebrating the amazing conservation efforts and environmental significance of the region.”
Some of the ecologically significant sites and events include:
• Three Marine Protected Areas at Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Trafalgar supporting a variety of marine species with Aliwal Shoal home to a number of the highly-endangered shortfin devil rays;
• Six Blue Flag beaches – the highest number in the province – with two honoured for 20 and 10 years of care;
• Several nature reserves and game reserves home to diverse wildlife and birdlife;
• Two gorges – Oribi Gorge and Umtamvuna Gorge – that create an expansive biome supporting sensitive natural life;
• The Red Desert, the world’s smallest desert;
• The Mzamba Fossils and Petrified Forest – trees which were washed downriver and deposited in the area millions of years ago with marine fossil beds exposed along reefs near the Mzamba River;
• The annual sardine run which is the planet’s greatest biomass migration; and
• The annual migration of Humpback whales.
The Conservation Symposium will open with a welcome ceremony at the Blue Marlin Hotel on October 30. In between networking and talks, delegates will also be hosted on various tours that showcase the areas many eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives including a frogging tour of the wetlands from Crocworld Conservation Centre and guided walks in nature reserves including TC Robertson Nature Reserve and Vernon Crookes; snorkelling in a Marine Protected Area; a hike along part of the Umzumbe River Trail, a Green Flag Trail and viewing wild Cape Vultures at the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide as well as a visit to Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre.
To find out more about The Conservation Symposium, visit www.conservationsymposium.com
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