Minutes

AGM MEETING

August 20, 2011

1. Welcome by Chairman Grant McAlpine
2. Apologies: Howard and Jeni Butcher, Sam Kay, Bill Annetts, Jamie and Jayne Fearon, Ronel Pieterse, Mark and Corlia de Bruyn
3. Minutes of previous AGM accepted
4. Secretary’s report: Petra ten Velde
5. Treasurer’s report: Tine Robinson
6. Election of new executive committee: no new elections were made.

ü Current executive committee to continue in positions held

7. Maretha Alant: SANParks environmental planner, addressed conservancy members

• SANParks works in Priority Natural Areas (PNA)
• Conservancy falls in PNA
• Work in PNA is linked to Conservation Outcomes: ecological support for corridor connectivity, climate smart strategy, Alien veg clearing, Fire mgt unit
• Conservancy needs to be linked in with these conservation outcomes

ü Meeting with Maretha scheduled for September 5^th, 5:30pm

ü All members to attend.

ü Properties to be mapped and plan made based on conservation outcomes

8. Natalie Baker: Cape Nature, spoke on wildlife crime and procedures for treating inured/sick wild animals

• If you are aware of illegal hunting happening at night- do not go out as poachers would be armed
• Contact Cape Nature and your local police
• Hunting quotas are published yearly allowing certain species to be hunted during the day only

ü A list of useful contacts is attached in the event of finding an injured/sick animal

ü If you are interested in knowing how to properly handle snakes- Cape Nature offers a course in Oudtshoorn

9. Roadside litter project: Tine Robinson provided update

§ A feed-back meeting was held in July at the taxi rank in Knysna

§ Taxi owner Morne Jantjies is championing the project

§ Stickers placed inside the taxis last year have helped create awareness

§ Taxi drivers suggested t-shirts and caps with an environmental caption on there to show their environmental awareness and dedication to keeping Rheenendal clean

§ They also suggested a litter/recycling talk at the school to make children more aware, which in return will make the adults more aware

ü Henk van Wagtendonk confirmed that he will donate funds for the t-shirts and caps, under auspices of his organite company

ü Natalie informed that Cape Nature’s environmental officers can do educational talks at schools

ü Community needs to donate garbage bags for the taxis. A total of 120 bags required per week to place in taxis

ü PLEASE only donate Medium sized bin swing liners and leave at Portland Mini Market for collection

10. New Items

9.1 Alien Veg Hacking Group

§ Michelle Legg to instigate project

§ Project to focus on roadside reserve clearing

§ Group to meet once a month

§ Garlon herbicide available immediately from Cape Nature

§ Project efforts to be consolidated with SANParks Conservation Outcomes

§ Alien Veg mapping required so there is a systematic clearing plan

ü Grant McAlpine to pick up Garlon from Cape Nature offices and join efforts in setting up project

ü Further discussion to be held at meeting with Maretha Alant

9.2. Roadside litter Clean ups

§ Employing someone to do regular clean ups takes extra weekly organizing

§ Community to continue with 2-3 annual roadside clean ups

ü Next clean up to be at the end of November

10. Other Matters Arising

10.1. Anthony Robinson to sit as chairman of the Rheenendal Action Group

10.2. Steinhoff has recently bought van Rheenen’s poleyard, Totties, and plantations

ü Community needs to remain well aware of what their plans are for the area as far as industrialization goes

11. Chairman Grant McAlpline closed the meeting