Through a two-week long programme aimed to raise awareness on the conservation of our coastal biodiversity, and its connections with sustainable development, the 2012 coastal biodiversity campaign included a number of activities lined up in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay between 15 and 22 September 2012.
As part of our ongoing support to community and environmental commitments, on Wednesday 19 September, Rössing pledged its support to NACOMA by participating in its fundraising dinner, which aimed to raise funds for the Coastal Environment Scholarship Fund. The fund is used to assist students to further their post-graduate studies in environmental management.
Friday 21 September marked the 12th Rössing BirdWatch event. The initiative is part of the larger Rio Tinto-BirdLife partnership through which business units of Rio Tinto are encouraged to host an event where employees and communities participate in bird watching activities.
Rössing's BirdWatch event took place at the Walvis Bay lagoon this year, in conjunction with part two of the Coastal Environment Week organised by the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management project (NACOMA).
“The aim of the Rössing BirdWatch event is to encourage an interest in watching and monitoring birds along the Namibian coast as well as to maintain sustainability towards creating public awareness about the importance of birds in the environment,” commented Yvonne Nghilumbwa, from our Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Department.
Grade 9 learners from ten high schools in Arandis, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay attended the event. The day involved learning bird identification techniques, spotting characteristics of different birds and bird counting.
Judging by the laughter and jovial mood observed on the day, the learners had loads of fun.
Each participant received an awareness t-shirt and each participating school will receive lab equipment.
After a lovely morning of bird watching, Yvonne concluded by saying, “It was rewarding to see learners acquiring skills and showing a keen interest in birds and the biodiversity in our communities.”