KwaZulu Natal

Click one of the links below to go to the relevant section:

1) Branch Committee
2) KZN 2008/9 Branch Strategy

3) The Hadeda - Newsletter

4) KZN Student Branch  - Link to Website

Branch Committee

MARITA THORNHILL (2008/9 Chair) thornhillm@thorn-ex.co.za

Marita has 20 years experience in the environmental field which ranges from conservation ecology and management to integrated environmental management and sustainable development planning. She was formally employed by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government where she gained 10 years hands-on experience in a wide range of IEM tools and fulfilled strategic roles in various national and provincial advisory structures and initiatives. In 2006 she joined the consultancy sector to pursue her interests and further professional development in strategic and sustainability assessment, the functioning of landscape systems and advancing the institutional dimension of sustainable development.  She likes to believe that she’s working towards becoming a sustainability specialist.

CLAIRE BLANCHÉ (Vice-chair) claireb@kprsa.co.za

Claire is a Senior Environmental Scientist with 8 years experience in the research and consultancy sectors. After graduating with a Master Degree in Environment and Development, Claire worked as a freelance consultant on Southern African projects in the fields of Environmental Assessment, Air Quality & Noise Assessment, State of Environment Reporting, and Water Catchment Research. It was during this time that Claire lectured the Integrated Environmental Management Short Courses at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg designed as both Master-level modules, and Certificate courses for external students. Claire was appointed to establish the Knight Piésold Environmental Division in Durban, South Africa in 2005, and currently heads up a team of consultants, scientists and specialists who focus specifically on the assessment, management and rehabilitation of large-scale linear-type developments. Claire has worked on the IAIAsa KZN Committee for the last year, and was recently elected onto the National Executive Committee for IAIAsa.

ROD BULMAN (Newsletter Editor) rod@phelamanga.co.za    (Download CV)

Rod’s consultancy, Phelamanga Projects, specialises in policy issues and public participation processes (often simultaneously). His qualifications include an M SocSci in Policy and Development. Rod’s preferred area of work is in matters of strategic environmental management and he enjoys trying to match the ambitions of development proposals with the ideals of sustainability.  He is on the Board of two national NGOs that focus on development for the rural poor and another that promotes the development of alternative media. 

Rod is married with two daughters and an occasional cat.  He has an interest in sustainable livelihoods as a theoretical framework, Johnny Clegg’s music, promoting revolution and red wine (not necessarily in that order). When asked for a quote he said “Phelamanga powered people are potent players”.

Dayle is an environmental scientist with several years experience in the environmental sector. She graduated from the University of Natal with a Master of Science in Geography and with undergraduate majors in Geography and Zoology. Her professional experience covers a range of IEM tools and projects including EIAs, EMPs, compliance monitoring, public participation, and integrated solid waste management.  Her particular interests lie in the strategic environmental management and sustainability assessment fields and she is currently working towards her PhD on ecosystem resilience and sustainable cities in South Africa. Dayle is currently based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Discipline of Geography, Pietermaritzburg campus, supervising post-graduate research and lecturing courses on environmental management and assessment.

KZN Monthly Meeting Presentations

BERG TO BEACH - CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN KZN

The first event of the year was  major success with more than 60 people attending.    The programme provided an overview of the the state of catchment management in the province.  The four presenters covered the various components of our aquatic resources, moving downstream from the Berg to our estuaries and beaches.  The current state of our systems and the factors responsible for the status quo were described as well as the linkages between them and the cumulative catchment issues. Professor Mark Dent concluded by summarising the instiutional landscape within which catchment management takes place  - where we are in terms of implementing the new structures and the potential benefits once they are operational (click on the the link for the programme and presentations):

An added highlight was the launch of the IAIAsa KZN Student Branch - the first in the country!  The presentation by Chairman Paul Jorgenson summarises the objectives of the branch, how it will function and the benefits for students and practitioners alike.