The Nature Kenya Newsletter

4 Pages·1999·0.36 MB·English

Where's the Action?
NATVKA] Oif^Ass^oors
The Next Steps from
Johannesburg
60 BirdLife International: a unique
grouping of southern and northern
Seeds i»h Pfttp conservation NGOs make a statement
By Din ?M artins
The planet can only be sustainable if
dino lei org
its ecosystems work. Without a healthy
environment, the quality of life of
A crisp rustle permecf
people around the world is seriously
as the wind rushes
undermined.
With a whisper anc
with bright red, winged forms. They
...Since Rio, environmental degradation,
dance crazily about, rubbing shoulders,
especially climate change and
falling, startling small butterflies, The Earth Summit in Johannesburg
biodiversity loss, has continued
before being whisked far out above the ended on an unexpected upbeat note
unabated. Some small steps in the right
speckled bush, until out of sight. The for the Green lobby. Russia and Canada
direction have been made in
wind's voice ceases as suddenly as it announced they will seek to ratify the
Johannesburg but it would be seriously
began and they drift down, slowly Kyoto Protocol on global warming.
misguided for world leaders or anyone
settling in the dust. They will never soar Their decision means the treaty,
else to suggest that this is enough. The
again. including its system of trading rights to
summit has not shown sufficient
emit carbon, should now be able to take
commitment to the people of the world
These are the winged seeds of the spiny effect.
to make real changes to the quality of
scrambler Pterolobium, (Pterolobium
their lives, especially in developing
stellatum) common Other achievements of the summit
countries.
throughout drier included an agreement on water and
forests and sanitation. Governments pledged to
This is why BirdLife International, a
T bush in East halve the number of people (about 1.1
global alliance of conservation NGOs
Africa. Each billion) lacking clean water and basic
with 99 Partner organizations around
Pterolobium seed sanitation by 2015.
the world, is calling for further action
bears a curved wing
resulting from the Johannesburg
that catches and Delegates also agreed that
World Summit on Sustainable
coaxes the wind international trade deals will no longer
Development. We call upon likeminded
into carrying it be able to ignore environment treaties'
governments who want a more robust
away from its development and ecology goals.
plan of action to commit to a tighter
mother-
set of targets and timetables for real
plant. And governments promised to take
change. We suggest that these
This seeded, action to help the poor gain access to
countries show leadership in the
winged being is affordable energy, though they didn’t
struggle to provide a better
botanically agree on targets to boost the share of
environment for current and future
known as a energy produced from renewable
generations.
Samara.
Specifically, we call for:
from TIME magazine dated 16
• a commitment to halting the loss of
September 2002
biodiversity by 2010. The intention to
'significantly reduce' biodiversity loss
is simply not enough.
continued from page 4 continued on page 2
NATURE KENYA, P. O. Box 44486,00100 GPO Nairobi Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]
Illustration from The Safari Star Guide by Alex
and Joy Mac Kay
Where’s the action, continued from page I
■ adoption of the ecosystems approach
and the precautionary principle in social,
economic and environmental policy
making, including in the areas of natural
£V£NIN6i SKY
resource management and trade,
On a clear, dark night, you can see the
• increased spending on biodiversity
Milky Way flowing across the sky from
conservation programmes by the By Alex and Ian MacKay
Cassiopeia, across Cygnus and Aquila, to
governments of the world, without delay, and Fleur Ng'weno
Sagittarius and Scorpius. The Milky
• the development, through the United
This column points out the brightest Way is made up of millions and millions
Nations, of an open and consultative plan
stars, constellations and planets that of stars.
of action, using the WEHAB papers on
can be seen in the early evening (about
water, energy, health, agriculture and
7 to 9 pm) in October 2002. For best Planets, October 2002
biodiversity as a basis.
viewing, choose a place with few trees, Bright Venus gets lower and lower in the
• adoption of a set of measurable
and a night with few or no clouds. western sky and disappears into the
indicators by governments to monitor
sunset at the end of the month. It will
national and international progress
October Stars pass between the Earth and the sun.
Towards sustainable development.
Look north. The constellation CYGNUS,
the flying swan, is a little to the west In the morning before dawn, the planets
While voluntary partnerships are
of north. Three bright stars mark the Jupiter and Saturn can be seen in the
welcomed, they are clearly not enough
tail and outspread wings of the swan; eastern sky. Jupiter is close to the
to halt environmental degradation and
the long neck stretches upwards. waning moon on October 2.
the advance of poverty around the world.
Further west is the bright white star
The alleviation of poverty depends on
Vega. Moon, October 2002
the sustainable use of natural resources.
6 Oct New moon • 13 Oct. First
The nations of the world must make
The great square of PEGASUS, the quarter (overhead at sunset) • 21 Oct
stronger commitments which
flying horse, is a little to the east of Full moon ■ 29 Oct Last quarter
governments, civil society and the
north. A medium-bright star is at each (rises at midnight)
private sector can take forward to make
corner of the great square’. Between
a real difference before it is too late.
Cygnus and Pegasus, and lower on the Looking ahead
horizon, is a zigzag group of stars - the The most dramatic of sky events, an
Partners of BirdLife International
constellation CASSIOPEIA. eclipse of the sun, will take place on
present at the Summit: December 4. It will be seen as a partial
In the southwest, the winding eclipse in East Africa. In parts of
BirdLife South Africa • Association
constellation SCORPIUS the scorpion, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and
Burundaise pour la Protection des and the teapot shape of SAGITTARIUS Mozambique, it will be a total eclipse.
Oiseaux (ABO), Burundi • Cameroon
the Archer, are getting lower in the sky.
Ornithological Club (COC), Cameroon •
Canadian Nature Federation (CNF), f^N^WAUS Become a sponsor!
Canada • Fondation des Amis de la
Nature (NATURAMA), Burkina Faso ■
Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS),
Greece • Hong Kong Birdwatching
Society • Ligue pour la Protection des
Oiseaux (LPO), France • Nature Kenya •
Nature Seychelles • Nature Uganda •
Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU),
Germany • Nigeria Conservation
Foundation (NCF) ■ Royal Forest and Bird
Protection Society of New Zealand •
Royal Society for the Conservation of
Nature (RSCN), Jordan • Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), UK
SalvaNatura, El Salvador
BirdLife Secretariat
BirdLife
V International is
a global Nature Kenya programmes require In appreciation of your support we
Partnership of your support. Please consider gift you one of these beautiful, full
BirdLife national renewing as a sponsor member colour, (unframed) prints by British
conservation @ 3000/- artist Martin Woodcock
INTERNATIONAL NGOs, with 99
members.
2
Cl- ASSlflP-VS
Bird Hotline
3749957 Advertise in Nature Net
ACTIVITIES
1000
Reach over members by
BIRD RINGING Thekla Lark, Crested Lark, White- advertising in Nature Net
Meet at the Museum, Nairobi Botanic Crowned Starling, Northern Kenya/ Aug Rates for Classifieds: • Up to 25 words
Itai Shanni
Garden, at 7:00 a.m, every Thursday. 250/- • Up to 50 words 5007-
Ads • 1/4 page @ I 750/- • 1/2 page
SUNDAY BIRDWATCH House Bunting, Lake Turkana/ Aug
@ 3000/- with image +500/-
Bernard Chege
Members meet at the National Museum
VPOPAPATXOH
Nairobi car park at 9:00 a.m. the third Maccoa Duck, African Snipe, Red-
Sunday of every month, i.e. 20 October throated Wryneck, Little Rock Thrush, Nature Kenya does not accept any
The members decide where to go. Bring Grey-rumped Swallow, Lolomarik Farm, responsibility whatsoever in respect of
Timau/ Aug Anne Powys, Shailesh Patel negligence of any of its staff, volunteers
lunch TREE WALK
or members organising the outings/trips
Guided Tree Walks in the Arboretum on the or for any loss, injury, death or damage
last Monday, i.e. 28 October from 9 = 30 a.m. to property.
Meet at the FONA offices beside the Girl
PPAHT INPt&ZNDUS!
Guides HQ. Those who are not members of
FONA or Nature Kenya pay Ksh 100/- fee
on arrival at the gate. • Attract Butterflies and Birds
• We can supply one tree or a forest
WEDNESDAY MORNING
• Over 80 species of Indigenous
BIRDWALKS
trees and shrubs
Bird watching walks at sites in and around • Well grown in large polypots and
Nairobi. Meet at the National Museum car ready to plant
park every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. Return • Large trees for ‘special occasions'
about 12:30 p.m. Those who are not • Visit the nursery for individual
members can get temporary membership advice
at Ksh 100 per birdwalk, payable on arrival • Delivery to Nairobi
at the car park. Kenya Birds Volume 9 1 & 2 2001 is Contact: Carole Hemmings
ARABUKO-SOKOKE (COAST) now out and available with the 0151 47332
October issue of Nature net! [email protected]
The Saturday birdwatch with the Arabuko
Sokoke Forest Guides Association is on the
first Saturday of each month i e 5
and Cottage
October, at 6:30 a.m. from the Visitor
Centre, Gede. Cost 100/- per person.
FFJ Bird Walk (Coast)
Friends of Fort Jesus birdwalks are held
the third Saturday of each month i.e. 19
October, at 4:00 p.m. Please call Marlene Budget Lodgings in idyllic Surroundings
Reid on (Oil) 491 648 to confirm
Sabald River Estuary, Kenya Coast
Ngong Road Forest Walks, Nairobi Five miles north of Mallndi lies the Sabaki River, the second largest in
Kenya. The site is renowned for its many beautiful birds--Madagascar
The Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust
Pratincole, Mallndi Pipit, Carmine Bee-eater, Zanzibar Red Bishop,
Nature walks are held on the first and third
Fish Eagle, flamingoes and thousands of migratory waders, gulls and
Saturdays of the month i.e. 5 4 19 October,
terns. This diverse landscape of tall dunes, delta wetlands, lily-covered
at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the stairs leading to
hippo ponds and Cfiriama Tribe farms offer infinite hikes and photo
the Restaurant at the Racecourse. opportunities. Mallndi Camp and Cottage overlooks the Sabaki
Estuary. The two large rooms have private shower and flush toilet and
are US $ 15.00 for single, US $20.00 for double. The campsite Is
TsFTmd^lksTNRT^iP
Sat 5 ____J US $5.00 per night per person. Meals are available.
j-jj Succulenta Excursion &
JU ' ------"j For Reservations Contact: Mr. Rodgers Karabu, PO Box 5289
Walk
Malindi, Kenya, East Africa
Sat 19 FFJ Birdwalk 4 NRF walk Email: [email protected]
Sun 20 Sunday Birdwalk_ Phone: International: 00254 722 797 213-In Kenya; 0722 797213
~Fn 25 4 Sat 26 R^m^tI7_- For more information see: www.malindicampandcottage.com
Harvesting Exposition__
Mon 28 Tree~WaIk _-
(Sat 2 Nov iOnangop Outing)
Birdwalks every Wednesday Morning
Bird ringing every Thursday Morning
E>difor, Catherine Ngarachu 3
Xiilni'filiil \ Curlier cnnlinm'tlfrom piiye I
Plants everywhere are faced with the TlfF-LP TKIPS
The plan is to assemble at John Wright's
problem of seed dispersal. As plants are
house at 10:00 a.m. John, assisted by Len
as a rule immobile, they rely on 'dispersal
Newton and other succulent specialists
YOUTH Committee Excursion
agents' to carry their seeds out into the
will guide us round the extensive
world. Saturday 12 October ‘02 9.00 a.m.
collection of succulents and other
interesting plants. Next is Andy
The advantages of spreading seeds as Meet at Kenya Cinema, Moi Avenue at
Cameron, who has a very different
far and wide as possible are manifold. 9:00 a.m. (those who will be using public
garden, as his specialities are.indigenous
Firstly, widely dispersed seeds reduce means) or meet at the KWS main car
trees, ornamental ponds and fish. By this
competition for light, food, water and park at 9;30 a.m.
time we should all be ready for our picnic
space around the parent plant. If all
lunch.
seeds fell on the ground and germinated Bring a picnic lunch and some cash for
around their parent plants, few would your 50/- entry fees and bus fare.
After lunch we will be shown round the
survive due to limited resources
rose greenhouses of Waridi Ltd, and for
Book at the Nature Kenya front office
those with enough energy at the end of
Other reasons for wide seed dispersal by Friday 11 October '02
the day, John Wright, Barry and Andrew
are related to genetic investment and
Cameron will show us their greenhouse
reproductive success of plants. Seeds SUCCULENTA Excursion
collection of ornamental plants and
carry the plant's genes, therefore, the Saturday 12 October ‘02 10:00 a.m.
indigenous tree nursery.
further away these are established, the
A selection of each will be available for
healthier for the population in the long Join up with the Kenya Horticultural
sale.
run. This will allow for better .mixing Society (KHS), to visit Waridi
of genetic material in subsequent Ltd. Athi River, and John Directions: Proceed down the Mombasa
generations. Wright's garden. Bring
Road for approximately 26kms from
along your own picnic
Nyayo Stadium roundabout, turn left
The wind will sow some seeds 'on stony lunch, chairs, hats
onto rough dirt road with KHS sign and
ground,' where they will die and Some and drinks.
also a sign for Danana School There will
‘on paths,' where they will be eaten by October is
be KHS signs all along the road.
birds. However, the wind also plants warm and
The Waridi farm is about 8 kms from
some of these seeds on 'fertile sunny!
the main Mombasa Road, please be
ground,' where nourished by soil,
careful on this rough road.
sunlight, rain and air, they thrive.
Therefore, in terms of reproductive
success, the more seeds spread over the
most space in a given habitat simply £V£Nr$
increases the overall chances of survival.
'Rainwater Harvesting
Here in East Africa, hundreds of plant for a Better Life'
species, with seed structures as varied
as the plants themselves, rely on wind
3RD Rainwater Harvesting Exposition
dispersal. This includes many familiar
On Friday 25 & Saturday 26 October
trees, including Jacaranda, Nandi Flame,
'02; At the National Museums, Nairobi,
Combretum, Terminalia, Tipuana, and
Louis Leakey Hall, car park;
Markhamia. Their abundance points to
Entrance free
the success of wind dispersal. The seeds
ALL WELCOME
themselves vary from the samara rotor-
Outing to Kinangop North
blades of Tipuana, to the multiple winged
box-kites of Combretum, to the papery Know Kenya Course Saturday 2 November '02
confetti flakes of the Jacaranda, Nandi Monday 4- Thursday 14
Flame and Markhamia. Other species November ‘02 Take a picnic and come enjoy a
such as the tree Bombax, the milkweed relaxing day birdwatching and
Gomphocarpus, as well as the common For more information contact walking on the grasslands of the
dandelion, rely on a mesh of ultra-fine Kenya Museum Society on Kinanop Plateau and the gardens of a
hairy fibres. These trap the slightest tel [phone] guest house with spectacular views.
puff of breeze, sending the seed [email protected];
spiraling out into the great blue yonder, Book at the Kenya Museum Society
to face the perils and joys of the world. Offices open Monday - Friday office, with your Nature Kenya
membership card and 300/-
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
(chitdren 200/-)
or check out their website at
Meet at the National Museum, Nairobi
www.KenyaMuseumSociety.org
car park to depart at 7:30 p.m.
4