Friends of Cradock Valley

Statement of Intent

The Friends of the Cradock Valley is a group of concerned citizens from various backgrounds with an interest in conserving the natural environment and biodiversity of the Cradock Valley. The main aim of the Friends is to work with residents, community members and Makana municipality in their management of the Cradock Valley commonage.

To this end, the Friends have listed the following projects they intend to undertake with the support of the municipality and interested residents:

Establishment and coordination of a coordinated approach to reporting, control and management of illegal activities such as dumping and poaching;

Provision of signage regarding the illegal dumping, prosecution of illegal activities, and dog control;

The mapping of alien vegetation and organising work parties to eradicate it;

The testing of water quality of the Gowie Dam and surrounding area;

Creation of safe paths and spaces for residents of Makhanda to walk, run or hike;

Creation of fire-breaks;

Promotion of an awareness of Eastern Cape flora and fauna by the provision of notice boards/tree labels and species lists such as bird, tree and plant lists;

The monitoring of biodiversity by residents with the means for reporting sightings of birds, mammals and flora;

Provision of points of interest in the commonage such as important historical sites and geological formation of the area;

Provision of social events such as tree-planting on Arbour Day and open days to provide local gardeners with knowledge about the successful cultivation of indigenous plants;

Provision of educational events tied to school curricula to assist learners with their biological subjects;

Verge projects to encourage residents to look after their own verges to keep the area clean;

Obtaining the assistance of staff members and students from Rhodes University in the verification of all educational awareness and other related information supplied to the public;

Provision of a website to provide ongoing information about the projects and events of the Friends of Cradock Valley;