OVERSTRAND K.B.R C.I.V.I.E’s PROJECT
(Conservation by International Volunteers Initiatives for the Environment)

This project is another initiative of the Department of Environmental Conservation Services of the Overstrand Municipality and operates under the Hangklip-Kleinmond Administration.

This Project offers volunteers the opportunity to complete postgraduate research in the field of conservation and a hands-on experience in the management of nature reserves within the first Biosphere Reserve established in the Republic of South Africa.

We have developed a relationship with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), GAP Challenge International and the Great White Shark Trust, who will advertise our program on their web pages and solicit volunteers throughout the year. Furthermore, all people wishing to participate in or volunteer for nature conservation activities will be placed into this program.

To read more about this projects objectives please click here

Press Release:

Pringle Bay and surrounds have played host to eight Conservation Volunteers for two weeks in December 2006, who travelled from Australia to be part of Nature Conservation within the Overstrand region.  The team have spent two weeks in the region and have been involved in a diversity of activities including; soil erosion monitoring, alien clearing, bird counts, penguin rescues and baboon monitoring of the Pringle Bay troop.

The volunteers are part of a larger World Conservation program: Conservation Volunteers Australia have been operating for up to 18 years with opportunities all over the world, but these eight volunteers wanted nothing more than to volunteer in South Africa.

Leesa Ridley, Team Leader from Conservation Volunteers Australia explained, "When I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa it was like a dream come true, now that I have experienced this program and the unique environment in the Overstrand I feel overwhelming lucky to have been part of it".

The team assisted with the rescue of 11 downy penguin chicks and 14 blue penguin chicks from 27/11 until 7/12.  Penguins undergo a peak moulting period during October/November during which they are land bound for 21 days, as their feathers do not provide an effective insulation layer.  Adult penguins have to abandon their chicks in order to go to sea to fatten up.
In one day a total of 15 penguins were removed and the volunteers did a great job with administrating 30 ml of dehydration fluid to the downy chicks and 60 ml to the blue chicks.  The penguins were than sent through to SANCCOB (South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) in Table View. 
The volunteers also assisted with bird counts, artificial penguin nest monitoring and cleared 2 ha of Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops) in the Brodie Link Nature Reserve

The Pringle Bay baboon troop did not visit the town once during the two-week stay of the volunteers.  They preferred to spend their time foraging in the burnt area around Somchem (old weapon testing site).  The troop has three new babies, bringing the total count up to 24. 

Within the team of eight we had two Mother and Daughter couples, Heather and Caddy, a Mother and Daughter team from Victoria says of their experience, "We had a life changing experience, have grown together and feel like we have given something back".

Visit the World Conservation website at www.conservationvolunteers.com.au