OPINION: Green Net to publish calendar to combat invasive alien species
This project is an opportunity for the coast to unite against a common threat, and restore our magnificent flora.
I’d very much like to thank South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) publicly for inviting me to attend the Conservation Symposium held in Scottburgh recently – it was a truly remarkable experience!
An incredibly well-organised, attended and supported event took place in Scottburgh at the beginning of November – the Conservation Symposium 2022 was a gathering of conservation managers and scientists, university researchers and students, policymakers, NGOs and even lawyers. Joan Gallagher of The Green Net NPC was invited by SCTIE to participate for which she is thankful!
Our SCTIE tourism officers did the coast proud, along with all the organisers – it was a dream event to host and a celebration of our beautiful region. The collaborations and partnerships that were formed and deepened, dynamic cross sectoral discussions and incredible amount of knowledge shared, was truly mind-spinning!
The biggest threats to biodiversity are climate change, chemical pollutions, changes in the use of land and sea and unsustainable use of organisms – and of course – invasive alien species.
To assist the public, The Green Net is publishing a beautiful full colour calendar for 2023 that will feature an ‘Indigenous Gem of the Month’ as well as two Alien Invasive Plants (AIP) that are flowering that month and thus easy to identify.
In Ugu district, as much as 60% of local vegetation (excluding agricultural crops) consists of invasive alien plants that smother and/or break indigenous trees, pollute waterways and displace indigenous ground cover. The decline in biodiversity has direct and detrimental impacts on all communities and especially the tourism industry, which is a critical employer in the region.
Most residents on the South Coast have very limited knowledge about indigenous plants or AIPs and many local nurseries fail to educate customers or provide many indigenous options.
This project is an opportunity for the coast to unite against a common threat, and restore our magnificent flora, thus assisting the fauna and all who live here, including us! It’s a green evolution to accelerate the eco-economy.
Specific to Durban and the KZN South Coast, we sincerely need funding to produce this calendar that will benefit everyone. We have to tackle this issue. This is something that can make a real and quick difference – let’s teach lots of people how to identify three plants a month
We’ve approached various groups and organisations but unfortunately deadlines are looming! We’d prefer groups/organisations because they would help with distribution as we’re giving back nearly half the sponsorship in calendar value, for example: 30 calendars per page sponsored, that can then be sold on as a fundraiser, or distributed as Christmas gifts, and to ensure distribution to as many diverse groups as possible.
Contact Joan Gallagher on Whatsapp 083 266 7953 or email joangallagher18.jg@gmail.com
JOAN GALLAGHER
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