KNYSNA - SANParks Honorary Rangers released its 2023 integrated report earlier this week in which it details the successes of the organisation last year.
The report revealed that the Knysna region of the Honorary Rangers was named runner-up in the Small Region of the Year award.
In addition, local chairperson Sabine Schukai received a silver merit award and Bruce McDonald a bronze merit award for their efforts in 2023.
The report was published by SANParks on Monday 22 January.
This year is the 60th anniversary of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, and in 2023 the contributions of the organisation to SANParks grew by 5%, totalling a staggering R80m.
The Honorary Rangers also contributed a total of 313 000 hours of duties to SANParks, totalling an average of 155 hours of duty per member.
At a local level, the Knysna Honorary Rangers were a busy bunch last year. The Knysna cohort is made up of 38 volunteers, a small but very active, powerful, enthusiastic group of nature lovers.
Local contributions
The Knysna region made significant contributions to SANParks in 2023, largely through annual fundraising events such as their golf day (every November), efforts during the Knysna Oyster Festival, and also the Serenade in the Forest event (coming in March this year again).
The funds raised through these initiatives went a long way to assisting SANParks. They helped fund diver training for two SANParks rangers and a large portion went to repairing the SANParks Infanta semi-rigid inflatable boat.
In addition, Honorary Rangers also lent a hand in improving the Diepwalle Nursery.
Chairperson of the Knysna Honorary Rangers Sabine Schukai was grateful for the recognition they received for their 2023 efforts, and said they have big ambitions for 2024. "Our aim for this year is to beat the Virtual region who won the first prize," she said.
Merit awards
On an invidual level, Schukai was recognised for her hard work in 2023.
She was handed a silver merit award, which goes to the top 4% of members who volunteered more than 609 hours throughout the year.
Sabine Schukai
Schukai originally hails from Germany, but moved to Knysna nine years ago and has been chairperson of the Knysna Honorary Rangers for two years after serving as vice-chairperson for three years.
Another member from Knysna, Bruce McDonald, received a bronze merit award, awarded to the top 10% of members who volunteered more than 387 hours.
"This year one of our priority goals is to raise money for an urgently needed new boat for the SANParks rangers to do patrols on the estuary," Schukai said in conclusion.
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