Dear GRI Stakeholders

A hearty thank you to all participants who attended the GRI meeting on the 22 October 2010. The response has been overwhelming to the revival of the GRI. Again my utmost thanks to my fellow municipal colleagues, NMMU for the lunch and the venue as well as the speakers for their valuable input. As promised I attach a brief synopsis on the discussion and way forward. You will also notice that I have attached a PDF with a great background information slide show. Also attached in a membership list of contact details for all participants. Please could you check if the information is correct. Also, if you did not attend, and would like to become a member, please send me your details and I will glady include it on the list. Membership is FREE and you will receive recent news, government correspondence, and other environmental updates. In summary then, provision for a question and answer session will be made for future meetings. Advisory Task teams will be formulated. It would help if you could indicate your area of environmental interest by email before we gather together again. Again these are as follows: Regional Coastal and Estuary Task Team – This task team will officially report to the Provincial Coastal Committee also / deal with issues surrounding the ICM Act and its implementation and where possible assist with the celebration of Marine Week and Ocean Day. Regional Water and Rivers Task Team – This task team will officially report to the Provincial Water Affairs Committee and also deal with issues surrounding water conservation, abstraction, boreholes / aquifers , desalination plants, and where possible, assist with the celebration of Water Week and Wetlands Day. Regional Biodiversity Task Team – This task team will officially report to the DEA Provincial structures also deal with issues surrounding the Biodiversity Act, alien eradication, agriculture, climate change and energy and where possible assist with the celebrations of Arbour Week and Clean Up Week. Regional Environmental Education Task Team – This task team will officially report to the Provincial EE Forum (DEAD&P) and will deal with issues surrounding awareness raising projects on all environmental issues, liaise with school groups, assist with Eco Schools and where possible, also assist with the celebration of Environmental Week.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATES: 2011 GRI – 4 FEBRUARY 2011- On the agenda – “How to succeed in prosecuting environmental transgressors” – An environmental lawyer will advise!”

GRI – 1 APRIL 2011 

GRI – 8 JULY 2011

GRI – 23 OCTOBER 2011

IN OTHER NEWS : Please visit the GRI webpage and BLOG your thoughts on http://www.gardenrouteinitiative.wordpress.com AND JOIN the Facebook group Garden Route Initiative. Get your copy of “Plants of the Little Karoo” by Jan and Annelise Vlok. Those interested in a Birding Course, please find attached the Press Release and secure your place.