The Diamantveld Region provides the lion’s share of SHR assistance to Mokala National Park. Its members assist the park with general maintenance, including clearing branches that encroach on roads or obstruct signage. Members also assist with visitor management and hospitality during busy weekends. During 2023, the region cleared and maintained the roads to two fishing spots on the Riet River. Members of Diamantveld Region clearing and maintaining the road to a fishing spot on the Riet River Fire management equipment donated to Golden Gate Runaway veld fires are a serious threat to biodiversity in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Park officials need to be on constant alert during fire season, their work made even more difficult by mountainous terrain and the national road which bisects the park. The long-term effect of repeated, hot, runaway fires is damage to soils and seedbanks, placing indigenous plant species – and overall biodiversity – at increasing risk. N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) demonstrated their ongoing commitment to conservation by making a significant donation to the Pretoria Region of the SHR specifically to purchase fire-fighting equipment for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. According to Peter Gordon, the Park Manager, this equipment will substantially improve their ability to manage the fire season. It is important to have good quality, durable equipment that lasts. N3TC provided a further 400 litres of road-marking paint needed for traffic management in the park. They are thanked for their important contributions to conservation. Photo courtesy of SANParks (Paddy Gordon) Fire management in Golden Gate Highlands National Park. 144 SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 Members’ activities continued NEWS SNIPPETS continued
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