The final environmental impact assessment report on the proposed Goereesoe Wind Farm near Swellendam is now available. This is the final opportunity for interested and affected parties to comment – before the report is submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). DEA will then review the comments and make the final decision on the project. Final comments are due before 17 March 2015.
Environmental education in the Overberg received a boost – thanks to the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) Small Grants Programme. Environmental education coordinator, Gretha Louw – who received support from ABI through its Small Grants Facility – has used the funding to acquire a digital microscope and other gadgets, used to teach children about nature and sustainable life on earth.
The Agulhas National Park, a partner of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative, has launched eight new chalets at the Agulhas Rest Camp, close to the southernmost tip of Africa. The chalets were officially opened on Friday 5 December, 2014.
Five new projects have been selected to receive grants through the ABI Small Grants Facility. They range from projects supporting environmental education in the Overberg, to a biomass stove project.
The ABI team presented the ABI Alien Clearing Project to the Department of Environmental Affairs and independent researchers at the Department’s Management, Research and Planning meeting (MAREP) in November. The three-day conference sought to develop closer ties between research planning and implementation, with much emphasis placed on invasive alien clearing.