Bisley calendars raise funds for the reserve
Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve (FOBNR) member and artist Vic Grobbler’s exceptional sketches of animals and scenes have been turned into a 2022 calendar to raise funds for the reserve.
Grobbler dedicates his days to working in the Bisley Nature Reserve, and taking schools on tours of the reserve’s soil erosion project. At the end of the day, he sketches the unique creatures, landscapes and flora he encountered.
“Each picture has a specific story behind it and we’ve included the back story and some interesting facts and information about the subject of the picture in the calendar,” Grobbler explained.
This is what makes FOBNR’s calendars stand apart from other wildlife photographic calendars on the market.
“We wanted to keep it specific to Bisley Nature Reserve and had originally thought of a photographic calendar using an array of photographs our members had taken in the reserve, but when it came to that we found there just wasn’t enough variation. Animals are very skittish, so it’s hard to get enough good shots of all the different types of animals to make up a calendar,” FOBNR chairperson Peter West said.
The sketches include more elusive animals such as porcupine and jackals as well as the other more prominent residents like zebras, wildebeest and a stunning sketch of giraffe walking along the reserve’s historical railway line.
The FOBNR calendar is a gift that keeps on giving, as when each month is over, the sketches double as prints that can be detached and framed. This means the calendar is essentially 14 professional wildlife sketch prints. The first 50 orders have also been signed by Grobbler. After the calendars are sold, Grobbler will auction the original sketches as a further fundraiser.
The calendars have also received interest from the USA and the UK. FOBNR will reprint as the demand dictates.
The funds raised will go towards buying and maintaining the equipment and tools essential to keep up the work FOBNR does in the reserve.
“FOBNR always operates on a zero-base when it comes to funds. We go out and collect funding for specific projects as the need arises. While this has always worked because the people of Pietermaritzburg are so amazing and supportive, when it comes to equipment, we often have to borrow from members and sometimes tools break or require repairs. This is where the calendar proceeds will go,” West explained, adding that FOBNR are currently in desperate need of a chainsaw, if anyone is able to donate one.
The process of getting Bisley Nature Reserve proclaimed an official nature reserve is making good progress. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the R100 000 proclamation fee has already been covered and the biodiversity assessment is under way. Bisley has successfully met all the criteria to qualify as a nature reserve.
To help FOBNR and be a part of the restoration process of the city’s nature reserve, buy a calendar. As a special offering for Maritzburg Sun readers, if you include the word “Sun” alongside your surname on the payment reference, you will get your calendar(s) signed by Grobbler, even if they aren’t part of the first 50.
Calendars cost R150 each. To order, EFT the total amount of your order to:
Upper Mpushini Conservancy Nedbank
Branch code: 13402500 Account No: 1207670405
Ref: Surname – Cal – Sun Email the proof of payment to west@absamail.co.za or photograph it and WhatsApp it to:
061 660 8123. West will make arrangements for delivery or collection.