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Go Green Report
Nedbank Namibia is committed to sustainable development in the 21st century. We formalised this commitment in 2001 when we launched Go Green, a non-profit fund for environmental conservation and the first of its kind in Namibia. Go Green is funded by bank contributions for each product sold in the Go Green suite, currently innovative home loan options and vehicle finance options.
In just three years, Go Green has raised awareness among Namibians of the pressing need to conserve our country's unique natural heritage for future generations.
Our policy
Go Green concentrates its support on projects that:
- Support the conservation, protection and wise management of sensitive habitats and indigenous plant and animal species.
- Improve the understanding of indigenous species and natural ecosystems, particularly for urgent conservation problems.
- Promote efficient and appropriate use of natural resources to support sustainable long-term use.
- Promote and distribute accurate information on environmental issues and parameters to all Namibians.
The Go Green committee includes leading Namibian conservationists who consider each project for merit, credibility and competitiveness. They also consider whether specific approaches are the best long-term solution to current environmental issues.
Our progress
From N$50 000 in 2001, donated by the bank, the Go Green fund has found its own place in the hearts of Namibia's people and about N$800 000.00 has been pledged to date.
Highlights
- Poison brochure reprinted due to demand
- First vulture in the world fitted with satellite telemetry
- Breeding grounds of Damara tern now protected
- Fencing erected around the breeding grounds of the Carmine Bee Eater
Our projects
The bank is currently supporting 14 projects, some of which we detail here.
Preservation of endangered species
Vultures - fifty years ago, about 200 Cape Griffons roamed the Waterberg Plateau Park area. In 2001, seven were left.
The bank's contribution of N$273 000 is supporting extensive upgrades in vulture conservation, including a counting and ringing census, an aviary for breeding and a very successful vulture restaurant. During the year, the first Cape Griffon in the world was fitted with satellite telemetry - our own vulture, Sky Banker. The programme's ability to catch large numbers of birds without injury and fit satellite transponders to monitor them more closely is attracting international attention. A new hide and educational centre were completed. A massive national poison and vulture awareness campaign was launched to prepare Namibia and the environment for the release of translocated vultures.
Brown hyena - The brown hyena's current conservation status in Namibia is "vulnerable or endangered", and it is likely to become endangered if declining population trends continue. There are some 800 to 1200 brown hyenas left in Namibia, and the coastal area of the Namib Desert is of major importance, as these areas contain over 50% of the Namibian brown hyena population.
With bank funding of almost N$60 000 over three years, this project is examining the impact of diamond mining on the hyena population. During the year, conservationists identified several core areas, established a population size estimate and fitted two resident brown hyenas with collars.
African wild dog - probably the most endangered large carnivore in Africa, whose numbers have declined dramatically over the past 30 years, largely due to human intervention.
Supported by the bank's three-year grant of N$150 000, conservationists are making good progress in collecting data on factors affecting wild dog conservation and developing and education and awareness campaign to reduce conflict between humans and wild dogs, among other objectives.
Damara tern - two colonies between Langstrand and Swakopmund are the most important for the species on the planet.
With the bank's grant of N$40 000, some 30km of cable now enclose three discrete areas, protecting the birds from human encroachment. Initial results are very encouraging, with no human-induced breeding failures recorded. Intensive monitoring work is done on over 400 nests and birds are successfully being ringed.
Research and awareness
Avis Dam - rehabilitation of this popular recreational spot near Windhoek was completed during the year, preventing further damage from erosion and vehicles.
Poison awareness - up to 73% of recorded deaths of scavenging raptors in Namibia are caused by poison.
the fund sponsored the publication of a booklet entitled Predators on Livestock Farms in Namibia. It outlines the effective management of predators and scavenging raptors on farms, and contains extensive information on poison and its proper use.
Herero Chat - a survey confirmed that there are only 7 breeding pairs left in the Spitzkoppe, and provided a series of crucial biological results such as averages for the first incubation period, nestling period, fledging periods, foraging success and sexual roles in breeding. This project provides a data base and a comprehensive understanding of the breeding biology of the Herero Chat, in order to better understand the evolutionary significance of this Namibian specie, which still remain poorly known.
Black Mongoose - virtually no research on this rather rare and elusive species having been done in the past, it is of utmost importance that it is studied to ensure the conservation of it in the future.
With the help of the bank six mongooses have been collard. Wide-ranging data collected on them included home ranging, diet, and general behavioural ecology of the species.
Education
Namib Desert Environmental Educational Centre Trust (NaDEET) - a variety of educational programmes based on the Namibian school curriculum, and custom-made for different age groups are offered at NaDEET. For many children a visit to NaDEET will be the first, if not only, chance to experience the beauty and diversity of their country and future heritage. 252 NaDEET School brochures were posted to all schools in the south of Namibia, including Windhoek and Swakopmuind, and with the help of the Go Green Fund almost 250 learners visited the Centre.
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