Rotarians visit reserve, discuss ‘Preserve Plan Earth’
Members of the Rotary Club of Polokwane recently hosted a braai at the Environmental Education Centre in the Polokwane Game Reserve to familiarise themselves with the opportunities it offers and to promote awareness for nature conservation among learners.
According to Rotarian Charles Hardy, many children, mainly from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds, visit the reserve each month and it became apparent that what was needed was a facility with displays, exhibits and a trained educator
While on a birding outing years ago, we drove past the old radio transmissing station and realised it could be useful.
that could provide environmental and conservation programmes to ensure more meaningful and educational excursions.
Hardy discussed the idea with the then Polokwane environmental officer, the late Joe Grosel, and the idea was hatched.
The Rotary Club then engaged with the Polokwane Municipality to be a partner in the project.
“While on a birding outing with Joe, we drove past the old SABC radio transmitting station in the game reserve and discussed the idea of turning it into something useful and an environmental education centre seemed the best option.
“Subsequent research indicated that the building was also used to jam transmission coming in as well as broadcasting programmes to surrounding areas and neighbouring countries,” Hardy explained
“Plans were drawn up, changed and a bill of quantities calculated by Rotarian Dudley Venner.
“By making use of Rotarians’ skills and contacts it was estimated that the job could be done for R400 000.
“The Rotarians embarked on a series of initiatives to raise money by inviting overseas Rotarians and friends to enjoy safaris in South Africa and R180 000 was contributed with this initiative,” Hardy added.
More funds were required and the Anglo American chairman’s fund was approached for assistance and very generously contributed the balance of R240 000.
Rotarian Dirk Liebenberg, who supervised the building operation, used the project as ‘on the job’ training for developing artisans whilst providing them with an income.
“This project forms part of the Rotary International world-wide structured programme Preserve Planet Earth and we need to continue our involvement here and ensure the sustainability of this Environmental Education Centre,” Hardy concluded. The centre is now available for visits with prior arrangement with the city’s parks department.