Wakkerstroom Wetland is predominantly a mosaic of different marshes. Although the Wakkerstroom wetland contains very little open water, the centre of the wetland (vlei) is permanently wet. Wakkerstroom Wetland is located in the upper catchment of the Tugela River. The site is well endowed with rare species, such as the globally threatened Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradisea).
The hydrological functioning of the wetland is currently disrupted, largely by invasive alien vegetation in the surrounding catchment. Furthermore, deforestation has resulted in soil erosion, altering the character of the site. Burning of adjacent grasslands to improve grazing for cattle frequently causes fires to cross into the wetland at times of year that are highly disruptive to the ecosystem. The site is also coveted as rich grazing land by surrounding landowners and there is increasing pressure to open up the wetland reserve and allow cattle to graze. This is reflective of a wider opinion that the site generates little income and benefits and is a resource that could be put to other uses.
The long-term conservation of the site is threatened, unless the levels of income and benefits derived from its conservation are increased and distributed among all members of the community. The project will therefore seek to directly engage all segments of the local community in the running of the site through a series of activities focusing on ecotourism and related local products. The long-term result will be an increase in the number of people who directly and indirectly benefit from the conservation status of the site and its biodiversity, and who are equipped with the knowledge, motivation and means to sustainably utilise and conserve the natural resources on which they depend.
BirdLife South Africa will be executing the demonstration project in Wakkerstroom Wetland with a wide range of local partners (see below).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
Goal: To conserve the Wakkerstroom wetland by maximising biodiversity and the development of ecotourism that will benefit the local communities.
Outcome 1. Promoting and developing ecotourism to achieve an increase in visitor numbers by 10% within 6 months and income flows to local people by 25%.
The project will foster job creation and the provision of business opportunities for local people who will be trained as bird guides. In addition ecotourism will be increased by improving park infrastructure and through enhanced national and international marketing initiatives.
Outcome 2. Establishing a secure winter feeding site for the Blue and Grey Crowned Cranes and outreach for local farmers.
The development of a Crane feeding site will attract wintering cranes and facilitate their monitoring and protection. This will be coupled with education and awareness raising activities for local school children and farmers.
Outcome 3. Maximizing the potential of the site as an ecotourism attraction by raising awareness of the local population in addition to improving the habitat of waterbird species.
The project will establish a waterbird monitoring system that will improve the management of habitats and positively affect biodiversity. Further activities that will be undertaken are the creation of islands and floating platforms as waterbird breeding sites. Wetland conservation and education programmes will also be enhanced, to maintain and improve the site's character.
Outcome 4. Make project information available to the public domain.
The project will continuously document and make information on the development of the project available to the public.
PROJECT PROGRESS (Latest update) 
ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION:
LOCAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES:
BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA
Birdlife South Africa is the lead organization in South Africa for everyone interested in birds and their survival. Our mission is to promote the enjoyment, conservation and understanding and study of wild birds and their habitats.
For more information please see: http://www.birdlife.org.za/
DEMO PROJECT TEAM (Main Contacts for WOW):
DANIEL MARNEWICK
I am the Program Manager of the Wings Over Wetlands Demonstration Project in the Wakkerstroom Wetland, South Africa. My background is in conservation development and project management. I have a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and a post graduate degree in Environmental Sociology. I joined BirdLife (BL) South Africa in August 2006 to establish and manage their Community Based Conservation Division. As Program Manager I will be assisted in this project by Andre Steenkamp (Centre Manager at the Wakkerstroom Centre), Kristi Garland (Operations Manager at the Wakkerstroom Centre), Sue Anderson (BL South Africa Travel, Avitourism), Nikki McCartney (BL South Africa, Mpumalanga Birding Route Manager) and Duncan Pritchard (BL South Africa, Manager Avitourism Division). [ VIDEO ]
ANDRE STEENKAMP
After a year of working at a private Lodge in Eshowe, Andre joined the environmental education sector in Durban. Andre worked with school groups, trained guides from local communities and oversaw alien plant eradication for a poverty relief programme. Andre joined Birdlife South Africa in January 2009 in the position of Centre Manager at the Wakkerstroom Centre. [ VIDEO ]
KRISTI GARLAND
Kristi began her career as an environmental education officer based on the Bluff, Durban. For nine years she worked with school groups from around South Africa, as well as Swaziland and Botswana, in various ecosystems focusing on ecology and conservation. During that time she also supported a large number of schools as a project co-ordinator. The projects included curriculum focused environmental projects, such as celebrating environmental days, addressing issues through project based intervention and taking action within the students specific areas. Kristi joined Birdlife South Africa in January 2009 in the position of Operations Manager at the Wakkerstroom Centre. [ VIDEO ]
For more information please contact:
Daniel Marnewick, Email: [ community@birdlife.org.za ] | Tel: +27 (0) 11 789 1122 | Fax: +27 (0) 11 789 5188
or Andre Steenkamp & Kristi Garland, Email: [ wakkerstroom-centre@birdlife.org.za ] | Fax: +27 (0) 11 789 5188
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS (at BirdLife South Africa):
SUE ANDERSON
Sue initially worked in aviation. In 1982 her interest in conservation and the environment prompted her to look for employment opportunities within the eco-tourism sector and it was then that she joined Mala Mala Game Reserve in their Marketing Division. In 1984, she moved to the Natal Midlands where she worked for a farming consortium and attorneys for a few years, after which Sue took up a career with the regional conservation body, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
After a long career working in the tourism and hospitality division of the organization, Sue joined BirdLife South Africa where Sue took up the challenge of getting the BirdLife Travel Project off the ground.
DUNCAN PRITCHARD
Duncan began his career as a nature guide in Botswana and Namibia. After a short time travelling Duncan returned to South Africa to manage a community conservation area in Zululand. During this time Duncan also worked as a freelance bird guide around South Africa, studied towards a BA degree in Geography and got involved with the Zululand Birding Route which he has since chaired. At the same time, Duncan was Chairman of BirdLife Zululand and involved in a variety of local conservation and social projects.
Duncan now manages the BirdLife South Africa Avitourism Division which is primarily concerned with adding direct financial value to birds and their habitats.
NIKKI McCARTNEY
A life-long passion for wildlife and the environment, with a special interest in birding, led Nikki McCartney to grab with both hands an opportunity to work on the development of the Mpumalanga Birding Route. Training originally as a Personal Assistant, Nikki has a Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality and a Certificate in Environmental Law. She worked for Sappi for 5 years as an Environmental Systems Administrator and has been involved for many years in Events Co-ordination.
Nikki has been working as the Project Co-ordinator for the Mpumalanga Birding Route since February 2007.
OTHER PROJECT PARTNERS: