During 2006 and 2007 Fujitsu Siemens Computers donated 34 computers to 10 different national parks in a deal brokered by one of their Honorary Rangers (HR), JP Meijer, from the HR Alien Invader Task Group. Over the same period Fujitsu Siemens Computers sponsored 20 cyber trackers for use by rangers in Kruger National Park.
During 2006 the Honorary Rangers developed a concept of acknowledging people and organisations that support HR projects in SANParks, known as “Friends of SANParks”. Their proposal was approved by the SANParks Board and recognises volunteer donors who, while not able to become fully qualified conservation volunteers like the Honorary Rangers themselves, still play a vital role in terms of contribution to SANParks.
The “Friends of SANParks” initiative has also seen the development of an impressive looking certificate that acknowledges the donor and leaves them with something modest, yet tangible that they can proudly display to show their commitment to conservation.
Up until now some of the 24 Honorary Ranger regions (dispersed throughout South Africa) or 9 HR National Project Teams (projects that transcend regions) have recognised a handful of worthy recipients as Friends of SANParks. Some of these have taken place in National Parks in the company of SANParks staff. However in a joint venture with SANParks Head Office at Groenkloof National Park in Pretoria, the Alien Invader Task Group and SANParks hosted a small hand over ceremony for Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
SANParks’ Dr Razeena Wagiet, the executive director of People and Conservation, the department that benefited most from the donated computers presented the certificate to Neil Claasen, financial director of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. Involved Honorary Rangers, Fujitsu Siemens Computers and SANParks staff were in attendance. Mr. Claasen used the occasion to express a willingness of his company to involve themselves in future conservation initiatives in the parks, particularly ones that will help combat the threat of invasive species.
Destruction of natural habitat through the invasion of alien species is regarded as the single biggest threat to the endemic biological integrity of National Parks and all natural areas. The South African landscape is rife with human introduced species (mainly plants, but some animals) that are threatening to wipe out the indigenous biology. SANParks has neither the manpower nor finances needed to meet the challenge alone, and the support of the conscientious organisations like Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Honorary Rangers and other concerned members of the public is critical.
The Alien Invader Task Group is an Honorary Ranger project team that helps SANParks with the fight to remove exotic plant and animal species from the country’s 22 national parks.
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/conservation/scientific/gis/Fujitsu-Siemens_Donation.pdf
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/conservation/scientific/gis/cybertracker.php
http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/2006/october/computer.php
http://www.sanparks.org/groups/hr/what/news.php?page=1
http://www.sanparks.org/groups/hr/default.php
