Enthusiasm, Commitment, Creativity Recognised

At the KZN Conservancies Association AGM held recently, Nikki Brighton received a certificate for outstanding commitment and contribution to the natural environment of KwaZulu Natal, in recognition of her efforts to promote the cause of conservation in the province. Despite being relatively new to the Conservancy movement, Nikki has had a big impact. Dargle Conservancy was instrumental in setting up the Midlands Conservancies Forum (MCF) a few years ago. “Our mission has always been to work proactively with other organisations to achieve a greater Midlands area that is wisely managed by all to ensure long term environmental sustainability, so it was an obvious step for our committee at the time.” she says.

Nikki Dargle Day 4 039

Malcolm Stainbank, Chair of KZNCA, said “Nikki is one of those rare people who has insight, passion and lives her values. She believes in putting people into conservation, can take a fabulous photo and match it with beautiful words. She is an inspiration to many. She mentors people with love and patience and instils hope in so many children and young people. She treads lightly on the earth, giving more than she receives, with no expectation of reward. We need more like her on the planet.”

mpop walk phila nikki asa

Nikki believes that conservation cannot just be about fencing things off and protecting certain species. “Painted Reed frogs and Samango monkeys really have no chance if humans do not change their lifestyles and behaviour. Human greed and the very odd idea that one life is more valuable than another has had an enormous impact on our planet,” she says, “I don’t think we have a clue about what is in store for us, with the rapid onset of Climate Change.”

().  Sitamani near Boston.

Adamant that it is necessary to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and the industrial food chain, Nikki started the Dargle Local Living initiative which works towards a better, low-carbon and more sustainable future for the Dargle community. “Food is a conservation issue,” she says passionately. “The more people who value our biodiversity and the eco-systems on which we all rely, the better the chance they will be used with restraint. We have to change the attitude that the environment is there to exploit.”

Sarah Allan Vice-Chair of MCF “Nikki is a firm believer in collaboration which has seen expression in her involvement with the Midlands Conservancies Forum – creating the MCF website and blog and encouraging contributions for the popular Wildlife Sightings. She has been pivotal in securing funding for building community resilience in Mpophomeni, the DUCT river walks, environmental education and leadership projects in the Midlands. Nikki is also the inspiration behind the regular walks of the Midlands, allowing the general public opportunities to enjoy and explore the biodiversity jewels on otherwise inaccessible private land.”

r wendy nondu nikki nkulu vusiJPG

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About Midlands Conservancies Forum

Welcome to the Midlands Conservancies Forum Blog. The conservancy movement in South Africa has its roots in KZN Midlands with Balgowan being the first conservancy established in 1978 by landowners in the area who were concerned about the reduction in the number of game and general degradation of the environment. Today there are 14 conservancies within or overlapping the Umgeni Local Municipality. In keeping pace with international environmental issues and the ever-increasing threat to our dwindling biodiversity the conservancy movement has expanded its influence to include challenges way beyond the founding concerns for the reduction in game and general degradation of the environment. The fact of the matter is that, at the very least, the state of the environment in the KZN Midlands is of vitally and direct importance to well in excess of 3 million people who depend largely on this region for their fresh water. In terms of global the planet has 34 biodiversity hotspots which are the Earth’s most biologically rich and threatened areas. These hotspots hold especially high numbers of unique species, yet their combined area now covers only 2.3 percent of the Earth's land surface. South Africa is home to 3 of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots and the Midlands not only falls into the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot but is one of the 21 priority nodes that have been identified by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund for investment aimed at securing existing biodiversity. The Midlands Conservancy Forum is proud to have been awarded a two year grant that has been used to establish the MCF Biodiversity Stewardship project that is working closely with KZN Wildlife. The reality of the Conservancy movement is that it has until know been championed by volunteers who are landowners and, in many cases, have precious little time and therefore this needs to be used to the maximum potential. This has lead to the establishment, and current success, of the MCF. It is an ideal forum to share knowledge, experiences and collectively tackle common issues in the most co-0rdinated and effective way possible. It is also a forum that has the capacity, through its landowner support base, geographical influence and biological inventory, to attract funding for critical environmental projects. It is also a forum for any and all government departments, NGOs and industries to engage with environmentally minded landowners. Through this blog we hope to promote the aims of the MCF in general and the sharing of information in particular. It is your platform to express and respond to ideas and concerns. Please use it wisely and respectfully!

8 thoughts on “Enthusiasm, Commitment, Creativity Recognised

  1. cg58

    Dearest Nikki, I am so happy to see you have been recognised for the wonderful work you do, yours is a holistic approach which is rare, so often life is compartmentalised! In particular I am in awe of your commitment to exposing and teaching young people about the environment they live in and how to care for it and be a cog in sustainability! With love and gratitude, Christeen

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  2. Liz Gow, Western Cape

    I was so delighted to receive this blog about you Nikki, and to read of a very well deserved accolade. Congratulations, Liz Gow

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  3. Meriel mitchell

    Congratulations Nikki. Such a kudos, so well deserved through not only your commitment and collaborations but your deep sincere passion to touch the lives of all those who you meet …your words and photos tell us so!

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  4. David Clulow

    It is a pleasure to endorse all the justified, congratulatory praise heaped on Nikki. Her insight and commitment is outstanding. She is not demoralized by the immensity of the task facing realists and takes on the forces of planet destruction with a verve which has mere mortals speechless. Keep it up Nikki. May many, with your strength and wide horizon, support you and your endeavors. If they do the environment may just have a chance.

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  5. Nic Ruddiman

    Nikki, It’s all been said above and you really are an inspiration to the people of the Midlands.
    Nic

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