BUSH BABIES REPORT

TERM 4 QUARTERLY REPORT 2019 "Creating the platform for next generation to grow and mature in nature"

By: Project Manager - Lewyn Maefala

HELLO TERM FOUR‌

As we say hello to the Fourth term, we reflect on the previous quarters of hard work and dedication by both staff and the Bush Babies, as we anticipate yet another amazing term. The fourth term was quite a short term as learners get really busy with their studies and prepare for their year-end examination. Prior to their exams taking place, the bush babies prepared for their camping experience with the lesson plans put in place, amongst the themes they learnt about the African elephant, warthog and the impala as the most common mammals they would encounter on a daily basis up in camp.

The camping this year was amazing and we were really favoured and treated to some special sightings of all the big 5 species, and we then decided to name each group after one of the big 5 in which they saw. The first group was called the lion Pride: This was after the game viewer truck broke and we had to be fetched in smaller game viewers that the learners spotted the lions resting in the cool shade of the trees, The second group was the Buffalo herd, seen at a far distance on our morning walk which were later seen as we on the game drive.

The third group had a warm welcome from the elephants as they pushed down the knob thorn trees, and saw the deadly Black Mamba snake, not really sure which animal to classify them under. The fourth group were fortunate to have the Leopard walk past the camp just as the sun was about to set, walking peacefully and in full view of all the learners. And the last group will of course be the horned and dehorned Rhinoceros, which again showed what measures reserves have to resort to, all in the name of conservation.

The camping program was created to allow the learners more time in the bush, and emphasised on learning by doing. On the first day of arrival the learners were introduced to the Struwig team members and a brief explanation of what their camping program entailed, then it was off to the swimming pool to cool off in the hot heat of Limpopo.

The next morning at 4:30 am the learners went on a quite bush walk within the camp fence, the objective was to reach the koppie (top of the hill) by sunrise, to admire indeed the break of a new day. On route to the top we discussed many plant species, and how their origin of their names came about, looking at their characteristics.

This was followed by a treasure hunt where the groups had to work as a team, it was more challenging as they had to walk blind folded and relies on both their team members and the one guiding them to reach the other end of the steep hill.

Once at the top the team has to race on their bellies like the snakes to the other end, where their balancing skills are put to the test.

Once they are done they go into the maize meal packets and hop around until they get to the skipping ropes, here they partake in some physical exercises and do the frog jump for 15 meters, then run past the swimming pool to tag another team member whom will also go through the whole process. The other group enjoyed themselves as they went on the game drive to learn more about nature and expand their knowledge about what they have learnt in the classroom, theoretically and put in place practically.

The game drives also gave the learners an opportunity to see how nature functions with limited human involvement.

The 2019 groups were treated to the following sightings: Animals: 1. Lion Panthera leo 2. Leopard - Panthere pardus 3. Zebra - Equus burchelli 4. Giraffe - Giraffa camelopardalus 5. Rhino – Ceratotherium simum 6. Buffalo – Syncerus caffer 7. Elephant – Loxodonta africana 8. Waterbuck – Kobus ellipsiprymnus 9. Warthog – Phacochoerus aethiopicus 10. Kudu – Tragelaphus strepsiceros 11. Nyala – Tragelaphus angasii 12. Impala – Aepyceros melampus

13. African Civit – Civittictis civetta 14. Scorpion 15. Leopard tortoise – Stigmochelys pardalis 16. Tree squirrel 17. Honey badger – Mellivora capensis 18. Vervet monkey – Cercopithecus aethiops 19. Hippopotamus – Hippopotamus amphibious 20. Scrub hare – Lepus saxatilis 21. Steenbok – Raphicerus campestris 22. Bush buck – Tragelaphus sylvaticus 23. Common duiker – Sylvicapra grimmia 24. Dwarf mongoose – Helogale parvula 25. Banded mongoose – Mungos mungo 26. Baboon – Papio cynocephalus ursinus 27. African wild cat – Felis lybica 28. Klipspringer – Oreotragus oreotragus 29. Sharpe’s grysbok – Raphicerus sharpie 30. Crocodile - Crocodylinae 31. Black mamba – Dendroaspis polylepis 32. Baboon spider – Pelinobius muticus 33. Hyena – Crocuta crocuta 34. Epauletted fruit bats – Genus Epomophorus Tracks and signs/ 1. Elephant 2. Giraffe 3. Hippo 4. Lion 5. Leopard 6. Antlion 7. Crocodile 8. White rhino 9. Bush buck 10. Waterbuck Animal dung: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Impala Elephant Waterbuck Giraffe Hyena

Plant species: 1. Sjambok pod tree – Cassia abbreviate 2. Mother in law tongue – Sansevieria aethiopica 3. Knobthorn tree – Senegalia nigrescens 4. Large leaved rock fig – Ficus abutilifolia 5. Purple pod cluster leaf – Terminalia prunoides 6. Jackal berry – Diospyros mespiliformis 7. Apple leaf – Philenoptera violacea 8. Fever tree - Vachellia xanthophloea 9. Candelabra tree – Euphorbia cooperi 10. Leadwood – Combretum imberbe 11. Marula – Sclerocarya birrea 12. Shepard tree - Boscia albitrunca 13. Mopani tree – Colophospermum mopane 14. Corkwood 15. Red spike thorn – Gymnosporia senegalensis 16. Common star chestnut – Sterculia rogersii 17. Flacky thorn – Vachellia exuvialis 18. Raisin bush 19. Guarry bush 20. Sausage tree – Kigelia africana 21. Baboons tail – Xerophyta retinervis 22. Blue thorn 23. False Marula – Lannea schweinfurthii 24. Prickly pear – Opuntia stricta 25. Red bushwillow – Combretum apiculatum 26. Russet bush willow – Combretum hereroense 27. Knobbly climbing bushwillow – Combretum massambicense 28. Sickle bush – Dichrostachys cinerea

Bird Species 1. Helmeted Guinea fowl – Numida meleagris 2. African Fish eagle – Haliaeetus vocifer 3. Spur winged goose - Plectropterus gambensis 4. Black Smith lapwing 5. Saddle- billed stork – Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis 6. Laughing dove – Streptopelia senegalensis 7. Crested barbet – Trachyphonus vaillantii 8. African Green pigeon – Treron calvus 9. White faced whistling duck 10. Barred owlet 11. Fork tail drongo – Dicrurus adsimilis 12. Redbilled oxpeckers 13. Brown hooded kingfisher – Halcyon albiventris 14. Emerald spotted wood dove 15. Namaqua dove – Oena capensis 16. Gorgeous bush shrike 17. Cape turtle dove 18. Red billed hornbill – Tockus rufirostris 19. Egyptian goose – Alopochen aegyptiaca 20. Lilac breasted roller – Coracias caudatus 21. African spoonbill – Platalea alba 22. African Jacana 23. White fronted bee eater – Merops bullockoides 24. Little bee-eater – Merops pusillus 25. White backed vulture – Syps africanus 26. Brown Snake eagle – Circaetus cinereus 27. Grey hornbill 28. Yellow billed stork – Mycteria ibis 29. Red crested korhaan 30. Yellow billed hornbill – Tockus leucomelas 31. Magpie shrike – Corvinella melanoleuca 32. African openbill – Anastomus lamelligerus 33. Pied kingfisher – Ceryle rudis 34. Black Crake – Zapornia flavirostra 35. Little egret – Egretta garzetta 36. Red billed oxpecker – Buphagus erythrorhynchus 37. Grey go away bird – Corythaixoides concolor 38. Red billed qualea – Quelea quelea 39. Hadeda ibis – Bostrychia hagedash 40. Pear spotted owlet – Glaudidium perlatum 41. Arrow marked babbler – Turdoides jardineii 42. Green woodhoopoe – Phoeniculus purpureus

Once they were back to the campsite, the bush babies had an elephant dung dissecting assignment where they had to look and identify what the elephant has eaten, and from that they would then identify what plant species they found within the dung. The learners found that the elephant had eaten a mixture of grasses, some roots, and tree species (Knob thorn) was identified.

The aim of this activity was to enable the learners to have a better look at what role the elephant dung plays within the environment, as an environment for many arthropods and arachnids of various kinds.

And on the last night the Bush babies were treated to a movie called Frank and Fearless, A story about a young rural boy who stays closer to a nature reserve and as fearless as he is, he went through all sorts of troubles and on an adventure to be the voice of the rhinos.

With the help from Frank (Leon Schuster) they head out to Pretoria to meet with the China Embassy and talk to the minister about the rhino poaching crisis, This is after Rumi the Black rhino who is friends with Fearless mother was poached and Fearless made it his duty to be the ambassador for the rhinos. This movie is filled with so much laughter and an emotion, allowing the learners to enjoy the movie at the same time to understand what is really happening out there with our wildlife.

In the end Frank, Fearless, dog and Rumi managed to capture the rhino poaching syndicates and, although Rumis mom won’t come back the little help they did will ensure that Rumi will be safe in her natural environment. Fearless only had R5 with him when he went on this adventure to save the rhino species, encouraging the learners that you do not need a million to be the voice of the animals. And no matter the size you are worth more and capable of making a change in our world. And in a nutshell the 2019 camping was amazing, fun, educational and everybody learnt so much during their stay at camp.

CAMPING FEEDBACK FROM PENELOPE MALESA

My name is Malesa Tisetso Penelope, I was born on 29 September, I am a grade 6B learner at St. Patricks Mathibela Primary school, my mother’s name is Yvonne Melisa and my biological father is Ngwako Malatjie ,when I grow up I want to be a doctor is my career since I was in Foundation phase at school but now I am in grade 6, I live at Makhushane Hlakisi Since the Bush Babies came to teach us I learn things that I didn’t know, but now about them I learn a lot from Lewyn and Portia, I knew about the big five animals but I now have more information about the big five.

The Bush Babies they even taught me about the small five insects, mammals and other things that I have experienced from the day they taught me, now I have a little brother who is about 3-4 years his name is Moloko Malesa the reason ia m talking about him is that I wish they could continue teaching the St. Patricks Mathibela Primary school and other school so my little brother can gain knowledge.

SCOUTS PROGRAM

One of our pilot programs, the Scouts program started in late September and the turnout was far beyond our expectations, with the hope to successfully run the scouts and cubs program we found ourselves incorporating the Meerkats program to accommodate the children that were coming to the program.

From September to October the scouts were introduced to the program and they learnt about the Scouts motto, prayer, Promise, and the Scouts laws which they have to know and implement in their daily lives. Whilst the cubs learnt about their cub’s motto and the first portion of their promise as they struggling with the language (English) a bit difficult to grasp.

The scouts’ also celebrated Heritage day in their traditional attires, bringing back that cultural essence and importance within the local community, this was followed by African based dances and we learnt how to greet and say goodbye with our 11 South African official languages. The cubs focused on the healthy living aspect, under the teachings of pack Scouter Duncan, Maggie and Portia who elaborated on the importance of healthy living.

The pack scouters spoke about washing the hands after using the bathroom, before eating and personal hygiene looking at brushing of the teeth, washing armpits and bathing daily. A recap session was conducted through a drama where Duncan wore dirty clothes and “smelling�, when asked what was wrong the cubs were able to report back on the personal hygiene attributes.

Still on the healthy living theme the cubs were taken to the vegetable garden where they watered the tomatoes and each enjoyed one after their hard labour in the field. This was after an explanation about food security was explained to the cubs, and how it is important for them to eat a well-balanced diet.

Closer to the school holidays we celebrated the day with the Scouts and cubs through an appreciation program celebration, more like a fun day, allowing the children to have fun and to cool off in the hot sun after the scouts program took place.

Whilst the cubs continued to learn how to address their pack scouter as Akela, the scouts were learning about what makes South African unique, including the national flag, bird, plant, animal and the coat of arms. They also learnt about the meaning of the National anthem as they say it out loud, the following week they learnt about what Scouting is about, here they were introduced to Lord Barden Powell and his story. These form part of the requirements of the Scouts to obtain their membership badge.

Seeing that many of the learners have a better understanding of what the program is all about we have had a positive turn out from the learners during the time of operation, reaching more than 200 learners at each meeting.

The Scouts as time went by started forming permanent troops and identifying their patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders, and the rotation of the kitchen duty with the patrols was implemented, as they had to prepare the food for the cubs and other patrols for the day.

We have had a positive feedback and response from the parents with regards to the membership fee, and to date we have 43 learners that have registered and received their 2019 registration badges and wore it confidently during our scouts meeting held every Friday afternoon at the Tshubje drop in centre in Mashishimale community.

In 2020 we anticipate a self-sustainable and running troop as we have taught the Scouts how to run and function within their patrol, and we sure cannot wait to see the change and activities in which the scouts would like to partake in, during the 2019 academic year.

The scouts and cubs classroom was also upgrades with an animated theme of Madagascar, showing how the different animals with their different characters, background and culture come together to have fun, a similar narration to how we would like to see the children communing together to share the common ground, to learn from each other and develop friendship through the program.

The classroom was also installed with a fan to keep the classroom cooler during the warmer days, as the scouts and cubs learn more through this life changing and beneficial program of the learners registered on out program.

IN THE CLASSROOM

With Christmas around the corner the Elephants Alive team joined the Bush Babies where they worked together in making wired baobab trees, and they had to paint salt doughs which they had to decorate with what they love, some after the lesson on elephants decided to make their art work with elephants.

This went a long way; the Elephants Alive team took the art work to their fundraising event which brightened up their beautifully set tables for their guests, where our team members were invited to the event. A first time experience for the team but they gladly participated in this great initiative.

One of the items on the bidding list was an elephant canvas, which was bided for R2500.00 by the auctioneer Lewyn, being heartbroken that she could not afford it, humbly asked Rodger for the canvas, when asked why she wanted it Lewyn said “looking at this elephant picture brings calmness to my mind, and I would love for the bush babies to share this experience with me�. Rodger did not hesitate to give the canvas to Lewyn for the benefit of the Bush Babies.

We would like to thank the Elephants Alive team for the invitation; our team really learnt a lot at the fundraising event about elephants in our landscape and in Mozambique. To the artist who made this canvas available at the auction, and Rodgers from Khanya ndhlovu who selflessly gave this amazing canvas to the program.

BUSH BABIES ANNUAL GRADUATIONS

And so we wrap up the 2019 academic year with the Bush babies, whom we can proudly identify as the nature guardians for the 2020 academic year, with their own unique program designed for them, we shall see them in action and involved in conservation activities.

The day was celebrated with the 200 Bush Babies that attended the annual camps and their parents in a hall with a capacity of 600 people and it was fully packed, not only showing the support from the teachers but also from the parents. We were blessed with the presence of the Department of education Circuit manager from the Namakgale Circuit Mr. Mabasa, who motivated the learners on taking their studies more serious, studying harder and investing in their own education. Mr. Mabasa also wished the Bush Babies well as they moved to a higher grade, and to remember all the teachings of the Bush Babies program for they are indeed the ones with the knowledge to change the environment.

Lewyn also spoke about the purpose of the day, explaining to the parents and the department what the learners did throughout the year and the fun stuff learnt at the Bush Babies camping experience, animal encounters, and how the situations were handled as we anticipated behavioural change with regards to animal behaviour.

Our guest speakers and nature’s guardians motivated the Bush Babies to use the Bush babies platform to grow in the conservation field. The two are from the first group whom graduated as natures guardians back in 2016. Vuhlari Nyathi shared his knowledge and how he was taught to use the digital camera through the Wildshots photographic course and how one of his pictures were selected by the author of the book How many elephants Collin Bell.

Vuhlari came with the book to motivate the learners that it is all possible. Noko Mojela also gave a talk about his experiences and growth in the conservation field, reflecting on the photographic course which led to him buying a digital camera enabling him to capture wildlife photographs; this requires him to visit the Kruger National park more frequently than he did before understanding the beauty of these animals.

Noko mentioned to the nature guardians that they would be seeing more of him as he will be sharing his knowledge gained throughout the years. Noko will be guided through the guiding course and he will accompany the guardians as they go to the Kruger National park in the 2020 academic year. With this in mind the two guest speakers were awarded with a mammals and birds book, to empower themselves and prepare for their guiding roles in the following year.

The Environmental monitors and their learners representing their communities shared an item as part of the entertainment for the day, where they sang praises to the program and opportunities the program had to offer to them. The learners were awarded with certificates and medals for their hard work put forth, learners that received bronze medals were learners who received 70 – 79%, and Silver medallists 80 – 89%, and the gold medallists obtained 90 – 100% . This year we had 11 learners whom obtained 100 % and received the title of the Golden Nature Guardians.

The prestigious event was closed with a performance with a powerful conservation message for both the learners and parents to understand. The story line was written by Dr. Michelle Henley form Elephants Alive, Michellen Munrou and Rosemary Alles from GMFER. A story based in the Greater Kruger National Park with two local children Ronny and Sandy whom have the capability to understand what the wild animals speak about, they then take what was said at the meeting to their local community. Issues discussed on the list was the threat to the wild ones the elephants, rhino and giraffe species. Lion and the warthog had their share of fun making the story more interesting.

And as we celebrated the end of the Wild ones meeting with all the animals, we closed the Bush Babies annual graduations ceremony, we are highly thankful to our sponsors who have made this special day possible.

FROM SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA TO RAINY KENYA, NAIROBI

An early Christmas gift was sent to Lewyn through an email from the National Geographic team, where she was invited to attend the woman in conservation Convening in Kenya from the 2nd – 6th December 2019. With her passport ready Lewyn was on her way along with Black Mamba Supervisor Leitha Mkhabela they met at the airport clinic where they had their yellow fever vaccination, a requirement to go to Nairobi. The two ladies boarded the flight and got to witness wet and rainy Kenya throughout their stay.

The first night was spent at the Boma Inn Hotel, the following morning they were driven to Mpala Research Centre, with the rain, traffic jams past Nairobi town the trip was extended to more than 7 hours up to where they had to switch vehicles due to the terrain they were travelling in.

With just half way to the research centre the truck they were travelling in was stuck in the mud, and the whole team of women in conservation tried packing some stones to no assistance the soil was too wet and too muddy, the local rangers and community members came to the rescue of the ladies, using the TLB front loader that pulled the truck out of the mud. After another adventurous delay the ladies made their way to the research centre and the Convening started.

The woman in Conservation engaged in various sessions where they gave their input based on where in the field they operate from, sharing information and learning from each other in the process. Session one was about the opportunities and challenges as woman in conservation – this lead to the introduction of gender and looking at issues that affect both male and females, with regards to gender inequality.

Session two dealt with building the leadership skills for impact, and qualities and characteristics of a leader were discussed, and the types of leadership styles were discussed, enabling the woman to look deep into their character and identify which leadership skills they have.

Later in the afternoon the woman went out for a game drive, firstly to see the fauna and flora of the research centre to the landscape and its inhabitants, Rosemary Warungu a researcher on the Grevys zebras joined to share more information about her research on the species, the following animal species were identified on the game drive: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

African Elephant African Buffalo Hippopotamus Superb starling Marabou stork Common ostrich

7. Egyptian goose 8. African fish eagle 9. Lilac breasted roller 10. Hadeda Ibis 11. Common burbul 12. Helmeted guinesfowl 13. White browed sparrow weaver 14. Crowned lapwing 15. African pied wagtail 16. Yellow necked francolin 17. Hamerkop 18. Pied kingfisher 19. Fork tailed drongo 20. Vulturine Guinea fowl 21. White bellied go away bird 22. Pied crow 23. White browed coucal 24. White bellied bustard 25. Green woodhoopoe 26. Plains zebra 27. Grevys zebra 28. Impala 29. Vervet monkey 30. Warthog 31. Grants gazelle 32. Waterbuck 33. Thomson’s gazelle 34. Red hartebeest 35. Gerenuk 36. Rock Hyrax 37. Bush buck 38. Kudu 39. Dromedary camel 40. Scrub hare 41. Damara dik dik 42. Retriculated giraffe The following day they proceeded with the program, session three they discussed the guiding principles and barriers for gender mainstreaming in conservation, and session four the woman looked at the challenges and successes in environmental conservation within the communities. Lewyn and her team members had the following to add with regards to the content discussed.

Session four: Discussion on Conservation in the local communities.

1. Identify a key concern in conservation today The key concern in conservation is the lack of dee engagements and consultations with the local communities, and there aren’t or sometimes no tangible benefits for the local community involved.

2. Example of best practice in addressing key concern in conservation today  Assess the community interests in great detail  Should not assume to know what the community wants or needs  Having shared goals – discussions 3. How have woman been involved in concern in conservation, what are the challenges and opportunities faced by woman in addressing the concern in conservation.  Focus groups : Local government should recognise subgroups (religion)  Focus groups should meet separately  Involvement of woman at the local government level, at higher positions.

Opportunities: 

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Woman have a special relationship with nature, and are dependent on the natural resources as they see it with various benefits than to associate nature with finances.

Woman see a river – automatically sees drinking water, doing laundry (washing/ bathing) – cleanliness Woman sees a plant species – She sees a source of fuel to cook, boil water, traditional medicine, making of baskets to carry goods made from the plants – income generating opportunities.

Health care and nutrition – link to conservation, family planning, learning to look after them and have more control over their bodies.

Challenges:       

Woman cannot speak for themselves.

Women need permission from the males.

Lack autonomy Harassment Woman are not supported by the government Lack of woman in leadership positions Lack of female role models.

4. What institutional changes are necessary?  Gender mainstreaming within organizational policies.  Gender balancing within governmental levels  Policy changes within local institutions, for more woman involvement.

5. What can be done with existing resources to expand action by woman in this area?  Social media – viral messages  Radio / Television presentations  More visibility within the local communities  Raise awareness 6. What can be done to involve and include more woman in conservation overall?  Policy change world wide  Education  Woman in conservation Convening  Woman in conservation summits  Get different generations to join  Get the males involved We would like to thank National Geographic for extending their invitation to our team member, whom not only was fascinated by the landscape and its animals, but she learnt so much from the other woman in conservation, the session she enjoyed most was the theme on leadership as this helped her gain more confidence and willingness to work around various leadership skills.

The overall experience was indeed a once in a life time opportunity and the woman had to create their legacy statement, one that they would like to be remembered with, and Lewyn surely is working towards that legacy statement through the Bush Babies Environmental Education program.

Legacy statement My legacy statement when I leave the conservation field, I would like to leave behind a community that is environmentally literate, makes conscience environmentally based and sustainable decisions for future generations.

COMMUNITY VILLAGE PATROL

Through various engagements and consultations with the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere Region stakeholders and a few workshops the Bush babies Environmental monitors were trained well enough to successfully conduct a village patrol in their local communities. A very different but easy method that requires a smart phone, data and a GPS app ensures the readiness of our team on a mission.

Through the village patrol the environmental monitors patrol their local community, identifying various environmental problems in which they come across within their path, with more than 60 items on the list to capture from alien plants, Erosion sites, Pollution sites, and the Dip tank monitoring.

Upon what we would consider an environmental problem the capturing process starts, first the location is captured, a picture showing the problem is included, and a further description explaining what is being addressed is captured and sent onto the WhatsApp group created for the Bush babies environmental monitors group.

The data is then captured by our data capture, who submits this data to the K2C offices for further capturing, and report writing made available to anyone who requests it, but most importantly it goes back to the community (chief) or Nduna and other representatives, so that they are aware of the environmental condition of their community.

Below is a summary of the data submitted and captured by the 3 community representatives, and it is based on the main environmental issues they encounter during the village patrol.

VILLAGE PATROL 2ND -5TH DECEMBER 2019 Land pollution sites Diaper disposal sites

Alien plant sites Indigenous fauna and flora Water pollution sites Sand mining sites

Fig: Environmental Issues captured by Bush Babies Ems from 2nd – 5th December 2019

For the three days that the data was captured the team managed to identify 457 environmental issues from which 95 were identified by the Makhushane group, 147 by the Mashishimale group and 215 by the Maseke group, above we see that the communities are facing both land pollution and alien plant species are of a great concern from an environmental point of view as they degrade the natural condition of our environment.

Village patrol: Environmental issues identified 2 -5 December 2019 Number of sightings captured

Makhushane community

Mashishimale community

Maseke community

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Land pollution

Diapers disposal sites

Alien plant sites

Indigenous fauna and flora

Water pollution site

Sand mining sites

Fig: Captured data from the Bush babies Ems from 2nd – 5th December 2019

This figure elaborates more on the total number of environmental issues captured by the Environmental monitors, from their communities, from the data submitted we can see that Maseke and Mashishimale communities have reported multiple sightings pf land pollution and alien plants that have been seen on their selected route for the week addressed.

Again from this data we can see that all three communities have a land pollution issue, which constitutes of metal tins, empty beer bottles, plastics and the team also identified various demolished bricks that are seen daily on the village patrol.

Environmental issue: Land pollution 90

Number of sightings captured

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Makhushane community

Mashishimale community

Maseke community

Fig: Environmental issues identified by The Bush Babies Ems from 2nd – 5th December 2019

Environmental issue: Alien plants 100 Number of sightings captured

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Makhushane community

Mashishimale community

Maseke community

Fig: Environmental issues captured by Bush Babies Ems from 2nd – 5th December 2019

The identification and capturing of the alien plant species for the Environmental monitors has become a fun part of their duties, as this opportunity allows them to get to know their alien plants more, looking at the scientific names and understanding why they are regarded as alien plants, their impact on our environment and where they originate from are some of the things they learn daily through the village patrol.

Although the alien plant list is not long, the team finds themselves reporting on the same species within their communities, as they are abundant within their operational landscape.

Common Alien plant Species identified during the village patrol:  Morning glory – Ipomoea tuberosa  Cotton leaf physicnut – Jatropha gassypiifolia  Rubber vine – Crytostegia grandiflora  Peanut butter cassia – Senna didymobtrya  Prickly pear – Opuntia stricta  Mother in law tongue – Sanseviera trifasciata

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORS E.M DAY

The Environmental monitors attended the EM day in Blyde Adventure camp at Jonkmanspruit that was organised by the Kruger to Canyons; the EM day was great and adventurous.

The team participated in different kind of activities; they have been divided into groups of 20 people, when they were competing with the other EM teams. They played different kinds of games, one of the games required the team members to fill a pipe that had holes with water, and the other team members had to close the holes using their fingers, so that they did not lose much water which was filled by various other team members using just a small cup filled with water that is fetched a few meters from the team holding the pipe, whilst the other team members tried to balance the pipe.

This game taught us that team work is important when you encounter challenges of problems, therefore enabling the team to achieve a lot of goals through the team work. Some of the fun games that they played required the team to jump a rope up to a certain height without touching the rope, balancing yourself on a rope whilst crossing the river, and shooting planks with blinded folds, were some of the fun activities and highlights of the 2019 Environmental Monitors EM day.

The team had fun and engaged with other Environmental monitors whom like ourselves are partners of the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere a lot , learning more about their duties and responsibilities, the Ems learnt that the K2C has different kinds of projects like Wildlands conservation ,working on fire, community based environmental monitors, conservation of wetlands etc.

There are a lot of opportunities within the organisation as EM, the K2C also introduced the people who are partners on this programme who started as Environmental Monitors and today they are in higher positions, due to the growth opportunities provided.

On behalf of everyone at The Bush Babies Environmental Education Program , I Lewyn Maefala would like to say thank you very much for your continued support, and for being an ambassador for conservation both far an near, your support and contributions to make the Bush Babies Possible is highly appreciated.

A huge thank you to all our funders whom trust us so much that we will keep to our objectives, of bringing change and uplifting the communities in which we operate from, and it is your continued support that allows us to bring about the change we want to see within these communities that surround the Greater Kruger National Park.

The Bush Babies program has grown from months to year now through the continued support from our generous funders, whom have taken it upon themselves to aid us in creating a much literate community that is able to make conservational based decisions, and allows the locals a chance to learn more about what conservation entails.

Through the course of this term the following organizations have made a contribution into the Bush Babies program which has allowed us to do some great work within the community, in no particular order allow me to thank all our role players whom silently have a great impact in our lives.  Olifants West Nature Reserve representatives from the Takazile committee for the financial contribution made to the Bush Babies program.  Point Foundation: For the continued funding of the upgrades of our Environmental classrooms into eco- friendly learning environments, and for the newly adopted drop in centres  The Perfect World Foundation with Maria Nila - Financial contribution, that has aided in the salaries of our staff members including their accommodation for the duration of the 2019 Academic year, which has allowed them to conduct more lessons and activities as they are closer to the communities.  Kruger To Canyon Biosphere - For our Environmental monitors Tshirts which are worn during community engagement and outreaches Thank you for the opportunity to represent the great vision you have within the landscape, through this program we are able to grow daily.  Scales Conservation Fund - For the stationary and reference books, storage boxes, pens and pencils all worth R13 000.00  Odyssey Teams - For the Rhino Art mosaic kits which will aid in the education of our endangered rhino species , through art works.  Kansas City Zoo - For the financial contribution made towards the program for various activities, thank you in advance

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.Entangeni Foundation - for the reference books which cover science, religion and cooking lessons which our learners will be using during their visit to the scouts location.

Campfire Training Academy - For the fun and educational introduction to conservation program, for the patience of understanding the locals and equipping them with the necessary skills.

Keep The Dream 196 - For hosting our team and passing on the great knowledge the team needs to run a scouts troop, which in turn has helped to improve their lives through the scouts laws and promise.

Mangwa Lodge - For the afternoon game drive offered by Leanne Khoza, who shared her passion for wildlife and guiding.

Naledi Lodge: For the morning game drive, filled with animal sightings that allowed Vulani to share his animal’s knowledge with the group.

Elephants Alive - For the continued support and swift response every time we request some elephant experts, we are highly grateful and thankful for the partnership.

The Black Mamba Anti - Poaching Unit - For being the role models to our learners , sharing your bush knowledge and passion for conservation of species, you are honoured by your hard work and dedication.

HALO - Thank you for your kind teachings of how we can take better care of our domestic animals, buy starting with feeding them, to giving them fresh clean water daily.

WWF - For hosting such an amazing program which focuses on the community with regards to conservation, we have learnt a lot and with this we will improve our communities through techniques and methods learnt here.

Transfrontier Africa - For your support with regards to Volunteers that come out in their numbers to help out, with your research knowledge and expertise in various fields in conservation.

National Geographics – For inviting our project manager and covering all the costs for her to attend the Woman in Conservation Convening in Kenya.

The Environmental Monitors – for identifying and capturing the environmental issues that are within their communities, being the eyes and ears, and ambassadors for their communities.

Strueig Eko Nature Reserve – For accommodating our 200 learners, catering, game drives and ensuring that the learners were safe and had fun.

Tshubje drop I centre – For allowing us to use their premises to conduct the bush babies Scouts program, on a weekly basis.

Department of Education – Namakgale circuit for allowing the circuit manager to join the Bush Babies graduation and motivate our learners as they move forward to another grade.

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Kansas City Zoo, for the donation brought forth that has enabled us to purchase the 2 new office laptops, which enable us to capture the daily data that is being submitted.

Also for the sponsorship of our scouts uniforms and badges for the staff members, and 200 t-shirts that are for the natures guardians whom will be seen wearing them in the 2020 adacemic year as our natures guardians.

Thank you very much...