GNF - Nature Summer Camps 2008
 

Nature Summer Camps 2008 in India and South Africa

 
Logo Nature Summer Camp 2006
Thrilling and extraordinary experiences will always hold a special place in our memory. For the sixth time, GNF offered 16 staff and family members of the companies Lufthansa, Sika and Ziemann the possibility of taking part in such an unforgettable experience.
  1. Nature Experience Camp in South Africa
  2. Nature and Social Camp in India
 

Nature and Social Camp – India

For the first time Lake Pulicat in India was the destination of nine German volunteers. Lake Pulicat is the second largest brackish water lagoon on the Eastern shore of India, providing habitat for a rich and diverse fauna and flora. Up to 15,000 flamingos visit Lake Pulicat during their annual migration. Pollution caused by pesticides, untreated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial sources seriously threatens the water quality of the lagoon. The focus of the work of CReNIEO (Centre for Research on New International Economic Order), the local Living Lakes partner organisation, is on sustainable management and the protection of Lake Pulicat.

 

In 2004, large parts of the lagoon were destroyed by the Tsunami. Therefore the work of the summer camp participants focused on the reforestation of mangroves in order to effectively protect the shores and to reduce the CO2 emissions. Furthermore, heaps of waste were removed from the water canals and soakaways were constructed to separate the flow of drinking water from sewage water.

Timeframe: from 1 August to 15 August 2008

Lodging: Camp

Turnout: 9

 

Nature Experience Camp – South Africa

The second destination of the Nature Summer Camps was Lake St Lucia in the Northeast of South Africa, located within the 2,550 sq. km large Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. It is Africa’s oldest nature reserve and has a very rich biodiversity. Giraffes, monkeys, gnus and hippos can be seen in large numbers.

 

The German young people learned a lot about nature, the animals and sustainable protection measures from the Zulus and staff members of the Wildlands Conservation Trust, GNF’s partner organisation. They assisted the nature organisation in carrying out a census of threatened wild animals in the reserve. This was the main activity of the young voluntary helpers. Since 30 years, animal censuses for scientific analyses are carried out every second year. They are an important element of the protection programme "Rare, Threatened and Endemic Species Project" in the National Park.

 

Also in South Africa, the voluntary helpers planted trees. Within the project "Trees for Life", which is supported by the Lufthansa "Miles to help" initiative, forests are restored by planting native trees.

 

In their leisure time, after long hours of hours of work, the participants enjoyed adventuresome undertakings and cheerful gatherings around the campfire.

Timeframe: from 26 August to 12 September 2008

Lodging: Camp in the Nature Reserve

Turnout: 7