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Vision Statement: To contribute effectively to the integrated management of environmental resources in Africa through excellent learning, research, outreach and practice.
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> Annual Review
- 2007
> Library Subject Guide
3rd Year State of the Environment Reports for Grahamstown Future Scenarios for Sustainable Cities
CBNRM   The department is well known for its hands-on work with rural communities. Community engagement is truly one of our department's cornerstones.
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Fred's inauguration to Full Professor Encouraging a love of science and a dedication to asking probing questions says Head of Department of Environmental Science, Professor Fred Ellery, when he delivered his inaugural lecture recently, entitled, “The landscape holds answers to more questions than we have yet learned to ask.” The historic occasion marks the conferring of the status of full professorship to a Rhodes University academic staff member. Prof Ellery has spent much of his working life examining the structure and functioning of wetlands in Southern Africa, with a particular emphasis on the links between wetland ecology, hydrology geomorphology and biogeochemistry, and how these affect and are affected by human interactions with wetland systems. Read the full article Story by Sarah-Jane Bradfield, Photo by Mathieu Dasnois
New Postdoc in the Dept Dr Sheunesu Ruwanza is a young ecologist and conservationist whose research focus is on restoration ecology and management of ecological processes that shape the world. us on conservation and restoration issues. His post-doctoral position will bring the two pillars of his career, conservation and restoration together. His projects will look at the growth and production of natural resources and ecosystems services, the household use of and dependency on natural resources and ecosystems services for consumptive and non-consumptive purposes. This work is important for management of natural resource. Other areas of interest include climate change and adaptation from an African perspective.
Staff attend the Land Divided Conference DES staff members and associates; Professors Charlie Shackleton, Sheona Shackleton and Paul Hebinck (Wageningen University), Dr Gladman Thondhlana and Ms Maura Talbot presented on a panel entitled "Ecosystem Services, Livelihoods and Sustainability across the Land Tenure Spectrum: Emphasising the Importance of the Environment". The Land Divided Conference in Cape town took place at a time when South Africa is commemorating the 1913 Natives Land Act, a piece of legislation that resulted in land dispossession and obvious livelihood hardships for many black South Africans. The Act is considered a key reference point for South Africa’s land reform programme that underscores the need for a land distribution programme to overturn past spatial, economic and political consequences of segregation and apartheid.
Nwabisa Mjoli, a 2nd year student in Environmental Science is the first recipient of the Rhodes University Environmental Science Staff & Postrad Alumni Bursary (RUESSPA). This bursary is the brain-child of Charlie Shackleton who called on all staff and alumni of the department to forego one or two pizzas a month and donate these funds to this bursary. There was an overwhelming response and R14,000 was raised to contribute to Nwabisa's 2nd year University costs. This generosity speaks volumes about our alumni's commitment to the discipline and recognition of the inequalities and needs of others in South Africa. This is a life changing opportunity for a local, financially needy young scholar. Well done Nwabisa, we wish you the best of luck in your 3rd year.
As part of its Community Engagement activities, the Dept of Environmental Science Tree for Life Project aims to promote awareness of the need to plant and maintain indigenous trees in and around the Grahamstown area. Trees play a pivotal role in the health and well-being of local communities as they are sources of food, shade, medicines and scenic beauty, amongst other benefits. The Dept has so far planted around 40 trees at the Ntsika Secondary School (with the active involvement of pupils and teachers). This is an ongoing project and the idea is to encourage tree planting within the township areas of Grahamstown, consequently contributing to the Makana Municipality's greening activities. Specifically the aim is to: - promote a better understanding of trees, particularly indigenous trees - highlight the important role trees play in sustainable development and the livelihoods of people and their environment - encourage communities to participate in various greening activities within their own surroundings
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RUESSPA Bursary fund appeal What will you spend your spare cash on? A pizza or a bursary?
Read here for more information Click here if you would like to donate Thicket Forum Invitation to Thicket Forum 2013 Thicket Forum Proceedings 2006 Thicket Forum Proceedings 2004
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There are
many people working on community and rural development
that are helping rural communities to empower themselves
through the sustainable use of their natural resources.
One of the ways to achieve this is through monitoring.
The CBNRM Monitoring toolkit gives you the tools to
monitor projects in your village and to evaluate whether
you are achieving your goals.
