The Pine Tree Project

PapaD & team, and Dave, what you guys have done is demonstrate that we definitely can make a difference and that it is within our means to be very hands on in conserving our mountains. You have also fulfilled a vision that this hands-on approach can be done and carried forward by anyone. You've taken ownership and carried this project further. Looking back over a decade of VE, this is definitely one of the most significant milestones in my view.

The fact that the Vaalribbokkop Area is now "done" apart from maintenance is a signinifcant milestone within the Pine Tree Project. The significance of these areas becomes apparent when you consider the scope of the pine tree invasion. It can very quickly seem quite overwhelming, and sometimes it even feels that what you do is simply a drop in the ocean that doesn't amount to much. The areas bring focus and break up the work into tangible and attainable medium-term goals. They also evoke a sense of ownership. All of this constitutes an important psychological strategy in the pine tree work. There are various factors that determine the boundaries many of which are not even that scientific. Yet these definitions are proving to be quite important in how we approach this work. Again, well done guys for persisting and getting this area under control!

If I may share some of my thoughts here.

The Pine Tree Project is a significant VE undertaking in that it clearly demonstrates an active ownership and involvement in conservation. It says "The Drakensberg belongs to me, and I will work towards preserving it." It's a value that I have always intended VE to promote. It's not enough just to post some do's and don't on being eco-friendly while you hike. Nor is it enough to have online discussions about ethics, and to complain about litter. These have their place, but it should not stop there.

It is true that conservation authorities are mandated by the public to manage our protected areas, and to do this responsibly and efficiently. However, that does not let us off the hook, as conservation can never be effective without us, even in the best of cases where the conservation authority is operating optimally. Conservation and preservation can only ever be truly fulfilled when there is an active buy-in and involvement from the public.

As many will know, I currently reside in Canada. Yes, many things seem to be run better here than in South Africa. Yet even here, there is involvement by volunteers in conservation matters. Here are some examples just from my own "neck of the woods":

Volunteers on Vancouver Island hope the completion of a boardwalk through a section of old-growth forest near Port Renfrew will help prove that B.C.'s giant trees are more valuable standing. The ancient trees in Avatar Grove have been protected from logging since 2012. But the trails and boardwalk to make them accessible to tourists for viewing, led by the Ancient Forest Alliance, has taken four years to complete.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/avatar-grove-boardwalk-1.4239171

The years of effort by stakeholders and the public to protect Mount Arrowsmith as a park attests to the level of commitment park users have to the area. Due to the size and remote nature of MAMRP, the RDN will need to seek feedback and assistance from local user groups to maintain and steward the mountain. Currently, the majority of maintenance on the existing trails is completed on a volunteer basis by the FMCBC, ACC and other trail users.

This is an excerpt from an official municipal/government document which can be found here: www.rdn.bc.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpid2223atid3827.pdf
Mount Arrowsmith is a highly popular local mountain. The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) among others, has actively been working on some of the trails this last summer.



A trail maintenance initiative around Vancouver:

At the beginning of the hiking season it can be tough with all the dead fall, over grown bushes and broken bridges from the changing elements on the mountains. Soon lots of people will be on the trails navigating their footing and bush whacking along the trails. It can be exhausting and dangerous. It’s impossible for BC Parks to solely clean up the parks and make it safe from fallen debris and broken bridges on their own. Have you ever thought of joining a group of volunteers to clean up the trails so everyone can be safe and enjoy the trails? I did for the first time this year and it is fun and rewarding. I love giving back but I don’t have a lot of skills...Everyone has something to Give Back.

www.vancouvertrails.com/blog/trail-maintenance/



Here is a trail race that a friend invited me to do later this year - an interesting part of the race is that you have to contribute towards trail maintenance, even doing some work as part of the race event:

Trail work or an equivalent (other volunteering, or $65 contribution) is required for this race. Trail work may include clearing overgrown bushes, removing downed trees or branches, building or repairing bridges, removing debris, fixing drainage issues, armouring, or doing reconnaissance for BC Parks.

fatdog120.ca/site/trail-work.html



And on the topic of alien plant eradication:

Broombusters is a grassroots organization which was started in 2006 in response to community’s growing concern about the spread of the aggressive invasive species, Scotch broom, on Vancouver Island and lower BC mainland. We are a totally volunteer group, going out in late spring to cut down Scotch broom plants and small infestation; clearing our own and neighbors properties; clearing roads, walkways and parks. We only work at this task while broom is in bloom. Broombusters depends on volunteer participation. Volunteers found out it is fun – so our numbers keep growing.

www.broombusters.org/about-us/



Even if KZN Wildlife were operating at the best possible level, they would still have en enormous task on their hands with alien plant invasion. Pines are at least slow growing and relatively easy to treat. Bramble and wattle is far more serious and those alone could easily usurp all of their available resources. I don't defend the inefficiencies of KZN Wildlife. Budget cuts have been severe within the organisation, undoubtedly that is reducing their capacity, but its not the sole reason for their short-comings. That being said, there are many good things being done and many individuals work hard and are passionate about what they do.

Our involvement also highlights the problem and creates more momentum for the authorities to do more about the issue. As it is we are developing good relations with higher management of the organisation, and the work we are doing (rather than just criticizing them) affords us a platform whereby we can report things and get some things done.


Above all, we have to maintain hope. Hope is what keeps us working towards a goal, even in challenging times. We have no guarantees of what South Africa will look like in the future. But we can have hope, which is better than the opposite. Even if we fail in reaching our goal completely, we have worked towards something that we believe in. And we will make a difference!