What a busy but productive third quarter it’s been for the College. During the quarter, we hosted a number of donor groups and visitors as well as visiting universities and conservation groups. These visits definitely underpin long standing donor and partner, Friends of African Wildlife’s slogan – Be Part of It – as it allows for better hands-on insight into our training courses and projects. Moreover, these visits also allow for in-depth conversations with our staff, students and other partners, whether it’s the seminar room, the classroom, out in the field, around the fire or under a starry sky during a bush dinner.
Our training departments continue to pullout all the stops to ensure quality delivery of our courses whilst also developing new needs-based programmes. Our operational units have also been involved in some exciting work, including an aerial survey of the Shoebill population in the Bangweulu Wetland in northern Zambia, conducted in partnership with African Parks.
In this issue, we also highlight some of the trips we’ve been on and the fundraising events the College has hosted. These include our #RunningWild event and the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, which this year was run in completely opposite conditions compared to last year. Cold and windy weather moved in following the thick snow experienced up van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu Natal, which certainly came as a surprise to all of us!
Finally, after months of advertising, conducting interviews, and performing our due diligence, we also recently welcomed our new Facilities Manager. In taking on this new and exciting challenge, Mr Carl du Toit will oversee the maintenance of all our educational, administrative, and residential facilities to the required standards while ensuring best practices for maximum efficiency.
Please do read more about these stories together with all the other exciting news on the College below.
Till next time,
Jeanné