Kruger2Canyons.com

Looking after our natural environment is no longer a cause simply for the conservation-minded. In fact, it may become the only way to ensure a good quality of life in the future, with access to sufficient water, secure food supplies, good health and ultimately even our own survival. It is each individual’s responsibility to make the lifestyle and consumer choices to reduce our personal contribution to the causes of climate change and global warming.

With this in mind, the town of Hoedspruit will be hosting its second annual Sustainable Living Festival.

The Festival will be held over the weekend of the 24th-26th April 2009, at the unique Southern Cross School - home of the phenomenal concept of "Nature-based Education".

SCHEDULE

Friday 24th April

09h30 Festival Opens
10h00 Tourism Workshop – Mike Gardener : School Hall
10h30 Tourism continues – Open Africa : School Hall
10h30 School Public Speaking Competition : Founders Circle
11h00 Tourism continues – Kevin Leo Smith : School Hall
11h30 Tourism continues – Green Leaf Enterprises : School Hall
12h00 Jacaranda Broadcast to start : Festival Grounds
12h30 Biosphere Symposium (Stewardship Programme & Schools in Biospheres): Leadwood Lapa
13h00 Public Speaking Prize Giving : Founders Circle
13h15 Wilderness Vision Pledge Drive : Founders Circle
12h30 Agrisymposium – ZZ2 Natuurboerdery Talk : School Hall
13h30 Agrisymposium – Biogrow talk : School Hall
14h00 Schools Music Festival : Founders Circle
14h30 Agrisymposium – Kevin Leo Smith : School Hall
15h30 Singita Cooking Course : Jackalberry Lodge
16h00 Jacaranda Broadcast to end : Festival Grounds
16h30 Miko Coffee Course : Founders Circle
17h30 Exhibitors Close
17h30 Food & Wine Pairing (Ultimate Wines): Founders Circle
18h00 Wine Tasting (Ultimate Wines) : Founders Circle
18h30 “Spirit of the Beat” drumming circle : Founders Circle
20h00 Founders Circle Closes

Saturday 25th April

07h00 Start of Cycling Race
07h30 Start of Adventure Orienteering Race
09h00 Festival Opens
10h00 Jacaranda Broadcast to start : Festival
10h00 Margaret Roberts Workshop : School Hall
12h00 Adventure and Cycle Race Prize Giving : Founders Circle
13h00 “Die Nutsman” Workshop Founders Circle
14h00 Jacaranda Broadcast to end : Festival Grounds
14h30 Wilderness Vision Pledge Drive : Founders Circle
14h30 Eco Design - Andy Horn : School Hall
16h30 Wine Tasting (Ultimate Wines) : Founders Circle
17h00 Super 14 Rugby – Vodacom Bulls vs Chiefs : Founders Circle
17h45 Prize Giving for “Greenest Blue Bull”
18h30 Exhibitors Close
19h00 Freshlyground Gates Open : Earth Circle
19h30 Southern Cross Drummers & Marimbas : Earth Circle
20h00 Lemongrass to start : Earth Circle
20h30 FRESHLYGROUND to start : Earth Circle
21h30 Concert Ends & After Party : Safari Junction
22h00 Festival Grounds Close

Sunday 26th April

09h00 Festival Opens
09h15 Cobb Building Course
10h00 Sandbag Building Course
10h00 Reptile Demonstration : Founders Circle
11h00 Michelle & Riaan Garforth Venter showcase : Founders Circle
12h30 Grade 2 Eco-play : Founders Circle
13h00 Cotton & Outdoor Clothing Fashion Show : Founders Circle
14h00 School Kids “Recycled” Fashion Show : Founders Circle
15h00 Final Pledge Drive
16h00 Festival Closes

Labels: biosphere, hoedspruit, sustainable living festival

"Benefits for Landowners by Engaging in Biodiversity Conservation"

Friday 24th April, 12h30 - 14h00

The Sustainable Living Festival, in partnership with the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region will be hosting an information sharing session for all land owners on Friday 24th April at Southern Cross School. The session will focus on assisting landowners to participate in biodiversity conservation and derive benefits from it.

Ms Willeen Olivier from DEAT will talk about South Africa's Protected Area Expansion Strategy and how national biodiversity goals can be achieved by involving landowners through the stewardship programme. The Stewardship Programme will assist landowners to get land tax rebates and to derive other benefits.

Mr. Martin Albertus of the Winelands Biosphere will also do a presentation on how they organize their biosphere in close cooperation with Local Government. We are inviting all our municipalities to come and learn from their experience.

Mr. Anthony de Boer of Southern Cross Schools is also going to facilitate a workshop arround a possible "Schools in Biosphere Programme".

Venue: Southern Cross School, Raptor's View Wildlife Estate, Hoedspruit

R20 per adult.

Entrance fee into the festival grounds is required for participation in the Symposium, R10 of this will be donated towards the K2C Educational Trust from each person registering at the Biosphere Symposium

Labels: biosphere, sustainable living festival

Some highlights of next month's inaugural Kruger to Canyons Sustainable Living Festival have now been revealed:

Thursday Night 15th May 2008

STARGAZING & Marshmallow Braai

@ Southern Cross School Pre-primary School

Time: 19h00

Cost: R30 per adult & R20 per child

Tickets available from the Southern Cross School

Friday Night 16th May 2008

Mango Groove Live Concert

@ Southern Cross School - High School Buildings

Time: 19h00 for 19h30

Cost: R200 per person

Tickets Available at Desperate Housewives @ Kamagelo Centre or by email from festival@bushveldconnections.co.za

Saturday Night 17th May 2008

Final Gala Dinner

@ Dumb Waiter Restaurant

Time: 18h30 for 19h00

Cost: R150 per person

Tickets available through festival@bushveldconnections.co.za

Programme for Gala Dinner

Opening Address

Mr Colins Chabane (MEC Limpopo Province): K2C- Two Provinces, One Biosphere

Keynote

Prof Manfred Niekisch (IUCN Regional Counselor, Director Frankfurt Zoo, Germany): "Biodiversity- the basis for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation"

STARTERS

Findings from Biodiversity Day

Ms J Newenham (Scientific Advisor to K2C): The Grassland Biome

Dr M Peel (Agricultural Research Council): The Afro-Montane Biome

MAIN COURSE

Dr M Peel (Agricultural Research Council): The Savannah Biome

Ms J Newenham (Scientific Advisor to K2C): Aquatic Systems

Launch of the "From the Region, For the Region" Project

Ms D Thomson (Project Coordinator for K2C Biosphere)

DESSERT

Message of Support

H E Dieter Walter Haller (German Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland) "From K2C to Bonn: Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity"

The Way Forward

H E Rejoice Mabudafazi (Deputy Minister- Dept of Environmental Affairs & Tourism): "Linking Landscapes, People & Minds- Restitution & Sustainable Development in K2C"

Vote of Thanks

Ms M-T Uys (Chairperson K2C EXCO)

Labels: biosphere, conservation, hoedspruit, kruger to canyons, sustainable living festival